In Your Yard

• Applying fertilizer just before a storm is a big misconception. Fertilizer needs a day or two to sit. Otherwise, it will simply wash away into a storm drain where it negatively impacts the water quality and the environment. Follow the package instructions and apply only the amount indicated for your lawn’s size.
• Never use motor oil, gasoline, or kerosene to kill weeds and insects. These substances eventually wash away into our water resources.
• Use pesticides as a last resort and try less toxic alternatives. Some insects are actually a good thing.
• Plant native or adaptive plants. Texas Smartscape plants require less water and maintenance to thrive; and because they grow well in Texas, they rarely need help from pesticides.
• Use a cycle and soak method when watering your lawn. Our region’s predominate clay-like soil does not absorb water quickly. Add an hour between several shortened watering cycles to allow the water you are applying ample time to soak in rather than wastefully running off.
• Bag and dispose of your pet’s waste in a garbage can. Pet waste that remains on the lawn contains harmful bacteria that can wash into our waterways and ultimately our water recourses. Pet waste is not a good fertilizer for your lawn.
• Sweep and collect your yard trimmings into a large paper bag designed for yard waste. Place the bags three feet away from your cart on your regularly scheduled pick up day. Never wash your yard trimmings into the street or in a storm drain. Clean storm drains help prevent localized flooding. City crews work to keep storm drains clear, but with thousands of drains in Bryan, we could use your help!
• Use a rain barrel to harvest the rain from your rooftop. You can collect and store the rain from a downspout in a collection device to use it on a future, sunnier day. A rain barrel rebate is offered by the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District.

With Your Car

• Washing your car in the driveway allows soapy water to enter our water resources, but also oil, dirt and grime.
• Another alternative is taking your car to car washing facility where the water is recycled before and later sent to the sanitary sewer system for treatment.
• Repair your vehicle leaks as soon as possible to contain the negative impact that car fluids can have on the environment.
• Dispose or recycle your used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze at an auto service center where these items are collected. Your used motor oil and filters can be collected at the Environmental Collection Center, see here for details.
• Car batteries can be recycled at most of the automotive businesses or where car batteries are sold. There may be a fee for the service.
• Store any automotive parts in an area protected from the rain. This keeps remnants of oil and grease away from the ground and out of our storm drains.

On Your Boat

• Take extra precaution when using gasoline to avoid spilling it on the ground or in the water.
• Never toss your trash into the water. Decomposing litter is harmful to water quality and wildlife. Monofilament fishing line and plastic six-pack rings are particularly harmful to aquatic and bird life.
• Be sure to check your boat engine regularly and fix oil leaks promptly.
• Rather than using soap, rinse and scrub your boat with a brush. When soap is absolutely necessary, try using a phosphate-free and non-toxic soap in moderation. Plan ahead and consider places where you can wash your boat to avoid soapy water from entering and contaminating water resources.
• If you are removing paint from your boat’s hull, catch the scrapings in a drop cloth, or sweep and throw them away in the trash. Bottom paints may contain copper or tin which are extremely toxic to aquatic life and water quality.

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rain that does not absorb into the soil and runs off of buildings, roads and other surfaces into stormwater systems, streams, creeks and rivers.

What is a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)?

A SWMP is a plan that outlines how a city will reduce stormwater pollution. A SWMP consists of Best Management Practices that are grouped into six categories.

• Public Education and Outreach
• Public Participation and Involvement
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
• Post Construction Stormwater Management
• Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Why all the recent fuss about stormwater?

The Federal Clean Water Act requires large and medium sized towns across the United States to take steps to reduce polluted stormwater runoff. The law was applied in two phases. The first phase addressed large cities. The second phase, often referred to as ”Phase II,” requires medium and small cities, fast growing cities and those located near sensitive waters to take steps to reduce stormwater. These laws require chosen cities to create a Stormwater Management Plan to meet the requirements in the City’s permit.

Why did the City of Bryan develop a SWMP?

The City of Bryan developed a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to comply with State and Federal regulations and improve the quality of life in our city. The City’s SWMP contains activities or Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the amount of pollution in the stormwater that runs off into our streams.

How do I find out what BMPs have been implemented and what BMPs will be implemented in the future?

The City’s SWMP is available online. The City produces an annual report, which is due to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on November 10th each year. These annual reports outline the status of BMP implementation and describe what BMPs are anticipated for the next reporting cycle. The City’s annual reports are available on the Stormwater web page.

What is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)?

The regulatory definition of an MS4 (40 CFR 122.26(b)(8)) is “a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains): (i) Owned or operated by a state, city, town, borough, county, parish, district, association, or other public body (created to or pursuant to state law) including special districts under state law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the Clean Water Act that discharges into waters of the United States. (ii) Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater; (iii) Which is not a combined sewer; and (iv) Which is not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) as defined at 40 CFR 122.2.”

In practical terms, operators of MS4s can include municipalities and local sewer districts, state and federal departments of transportation, public universities, public hospitals, military bases, and correctional facilities. The Stormwater Phase II Rule added federal systems, such as military bases and correctional facilities by including them in the definition of small MS4s.

What types of pollution are found in stormwater?

A: Some of the most common contaminants that are found in stormwater are listed below.  For more information see About Stormwater.

• Sediment from eroded soil and construction sites
• Excess nutrients from lawn fertilizers
• Excess organic matter from leaf and grass clippings
• Bacteria and disease causing organisms from pet waste or raw, untreated sewage
• Debris /Trash such as plastic bags, cans, bottles, and cigarette butts
• Household chemicals like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids
• Metal particles deposited on roadways from automobiles

Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?

No. They are two completely separate drainage systems. Effluent in the sewer system receives extensive and thorough filtration prior to being discharged. The storm drain system on the other hand, receives no filtration whatsoever, and discharges directly into the local creeks untreated.

Why doesn’t the City build a stormwater treatment facility?

Such a facility would be extremely costly to build and maintain. And, the massive amount of water coming through the facility during a rainstorm would easily overtax the system.

Where does my stormwater go?

Stormwater runoff from Bryan flows to one of the following creeks:

• Briar Creek
• Burton Creek
• Carter’s Creek
• Cottonwood Creek
• Still Creek
• Thompson’s Creek
• Turkey Creek

If it only affects streams and creeks, why should I care?

Streams and creeks feed into rivers, lakes and eventually the ocean. We all drink water, so we are all affected when our water is polluted. When water treatment costs rise, the price of drinking water goes up. If you like to fish, swim or boat, you may have heard or been affected by advisories warning you not to swim, fish or boat in a certain area because of unhealthy water or too much algae. Shellfish like clams, oysters, and shrimp cannot be harvested from polluted waters, so anyone that enjoys these foods or makes a living from the shellfish industry is affected. Money made from tourism and water recreation can also be impacted, as are businesses and home flooded by stormwater runoff. When we pollute our water, everyone is affected!

Can I dispose of used motor oil on the ground or in the garbage?

NEVER dispose used motor oil on the ground; in a ditch, creek, river, or lake; in a storm drain; or in the garbage.  It’s against the law.  Texas law prohibits dumping used oil on land or into sewers or waterways.  Texas has also banned used oil filters from being placed in or accepted for disposal in a landfill.

Why is used motor oil so harmful?

One oil change – improperly disposed and not recycled – can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water, which is a year’s supply for 50 people.

Where can I take my used motor oil?

The City encourages citizens to take their used motor oil to the Municipal Services Center (1111 Waco Street) or to any local auto maintenance shop in Bryan. These auto shops are conveniently located and will take the used oil free of charge.  Quantities of less than five gallons from non-commercial users will be accepted at any auto service shop. For the location of a used oil/used oil filter collection center near you, call 1-800-CLEANUP, or visit Earth911.org to search for recycling locations by Zip Code.

What are Household Hazardous Chemicals?

Many common household chemicals are dangerous to our kids, pets, and the environment.  These materials may pollute our waterways if washed or dumped into storm drains or roadside ditches that lead directly to our streams and lakes.  Household cleaners, pesticides, gasoline, antifreeze, used motor oil, and other hazardous products should to be labeled, stored, and disposed of properly.

Where can I dispose of Household Hazardous Chemicals?

The City provides free disposal of household hazardous chemicals to its residents.  See the Household Chemical Disposal web page for disposal procedures or Bryan’s Environmental Services Department web page for safer alternatives.

Can leaves and grass clippings go in the storm drain?

No. Even though leaves and grass are natural and biodegradable, these organic materials consume oxygen when they decompose and remove dissolved oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms require oxygen and will die in the absence of oxygen.

Who do I call if I see anyone illegally dumping into the storm drain?

Call the City of Bryan’s Stormwater Hotline at (979) 209-5900 to submit an anonymous report if you observe any of the following:

• Illegal dumping of trash and debris along roadways or in creeks
• Leaking automobiles
• Concrete dumped in the street or storm drain
• Paint dumped in storm drain
• Motor oil dumped in storm drain
• Sediment runoff from construction sites
• Yard clippings blown or swept into storm drains
• Sewage or septic tank leaks

I am looking for volunteer opportunities.  How can I become involved in stormwater management activities?

Stream cleanup projects are a great way to improve aquatic habitat, water quality, and aesthetics while promoting stormwater awareness.  You can help keep our streams healthy by participating in Stream Cleanup projects or Storm Drain Marking events.  The City is looking for volunteer organizations to participate in stream cleanup or to help glue markers on storm drain inlets.  Individuals, businesses, civic organizations, Girl/Boy Scout troops, schools, neighborhood and homeowner associations are invited to participate in these efforts.

What does impervious mean?

Impervious is defined as a surface that does not absorb water. Several examples of impervious areas include asphalt or concrete pavement, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and buildings.

What are some of the city’s challenges in managing stormwater?

As rain falls on agricultural and undeveloped areas, it is primarily absorbed into the ground or slowly runs off into streams, rivers or other bodies of water; however, development including buildings and paved areas blocks the water from being absorbed. Having a stormwater management program allows the city to better maintain the drainage system. The primary stormwater management challenges include:

• Increased sources of stormwater pollution
• Erosion along creeks and streams
• Sedimentation in water ways
• Localized flooding
• Debris in creeks and streams
• Maintaining infrastructure

Stormwater can carry contaminants such as plastic bags, detergents, heavy metals and pollution that can be harmful to the environment. In addition, erosion can contribute to the contaminants in stormwater runoff, as well as damage residential and commercial property. Debris that is swept into creeks and waterways during storm events can prevent the proper movement of stormwater, increasing the risk of flooding.

What is the City doing to minimize the impact of stormwater?

The City of Bryan has a number of programs that specifically target the problems associated with stormwater.

• Inspection and Prevention: City staff inspects and monitors construction sites to ensure proper controls are in place to minimize runoff.
• Planning and Engineering: City engineers review design and construction plans for the impact of stormwater.
• Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance: City engineers and maintenance crews work to design new stormwater infrastructure and to maintain existing stormwater infrastructure.