Pollution Prevention Wise PracticesIn 2008, the Town, along with all cities and counties in the state, was permitted by the State of Texas to follow a number of Federal mandates to reduce the pollution of creeks, streams, and lakes and to improve the quality of water. The Town is now required to meet various standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Under the established guideline, the Town shall minimize illegal discharges from entering in storm sewer systems and streams by developing a storm water management program. This web site has been created for you to learn more about this program and how you can help the Town in preventing the storm water pollution. What is an illegal discharge? Soap, detergents, cleaners, medicine/drugs, motor oil, gasoline and other petroleum products, paint, chlorinated water, pesticides, fertilizers, and similar products containing ingredients that may be harmful to aquatic organisms. Other objects such as paper cups, bottles, plastic bags, soda cans, soil, grass clippings animal wastes, and other similar materials are also considered illegal discharges. How do these illegal discharges get to the creeks and ponds? All water that drains off of streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks ends up in creeks, rivers and lakes. The water collects the harmful pollutants and carry them to creeks and lakes. You probably have seen opening alongside streets, we call these inlets. It is important to remember that all rain waters ultimately enter the creeks and lakes. How about fertilizes needed for the lawn? You can fertilize lightly as recommended by the manufacturer and use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Pollution occurs when landscaping water carries runoff to storm drainage system. Typical pollutants include herbicides, pesticide, fertilizers, and mulch. How could the pet wastes harm the fish and the environment? When pet waste is disposed of improperly, not only water quality suffers - your health may be at risk, too. When pet waste is washed into lakes or streams the waste decays, , using up oxygen and releasing ammonia that can kill fish. Disease or parasites that can also be transmitted from pet waste to humans. They include: • Campylobacteriosis - It causes severe diarrhea in humans. • Cryptosporidium - It causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration. • Toxocariasis - roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to human may cause vision loss, rash,fever ,or cough. • Toxoplsmosis - a parasite carried by cats can cause muscle aches, headache, and lymph node enlargement. Is it okay to discharge chlorinated pool or spa water into my alley or street? Chlorine, at low concentration, is typically not a problem. Please make sure the water has been dechlorinated (Concentration of less than 0.1ppm with PH of 7-8) before discharging it into streets and alleys. The discharged water ultimately enters lakes and creeks and if chlorine concentration is high, it could kill the fish. How You Can Help! The Engineering Department is focused on keeping our stream banks clean and erosion free by starting a new program. This program will educate the community and enforce new standards on construction activities. For more information see the TCEQ website for the state requirements and NCTCOG website for how you can learn more about pollution prevention, water conservation, and sediment control. Water IQ: Be Water Wise Aside from keeping our water clean, it is important to not be wasteful so that we have plenty of it. The water that we use must be filtered from its natural state in lakes and rivers to remove dirt, oils, and chemicals. The treatment plants that exist labor continuously to keep up with our demand. The process is very expensive. The less water we use every day, the easier it is for our demands to be met, and less money the taxpayers have to spend to build and maintain treatment facilities. Please keep the following good practices in mind when using water: 1) Install water efficient appliances: toilets, showerheads, faucets, washing machines, dishwashers. 2) Take showers instead of baths, and limit the length of showers to less than 10 minutes. 3) Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when fully loaded. Don’t pre-rinse dishes. 4) Rinse produce in a pan of cold water. Thaw meat in the refrigerator. 5) Keep a container of tap water in the refrigerator for drinking. 6) Fix leaks immediately, and tightly close running faucets. Fix a running toilet. 7) Harvest rainwater from gutters into a barrel or cistern for watering yards and plants. 8) Use a broom to sweep debris off of sidewalks and driveways. 9) Keep pools and spas covered when not in use to minimize evaporation. 10) Backwash pool filters only when necessary. 11) Run irrigation system early in the morning (before 7:30 a.m.) or in the evening (after 9 p.m.). 12) Check sprinkler heads often to make sure that they are working properly. 13) Xeriscape your lawn with plants native to this region. 14) Don’t over water your lawn. For additional information and details, visit us at the Town Hall and pick up Water IQ brochures!*Questions? Or Comments? Contact us at the engineering department: (214) 521.4161
Pollution Prevention
Wise PracticesIn 2008, the Town, along with all cities and counties in the state, was permitted by the State of Texas to follow a number of Federal mandates to reduce the pollution of creeks, streams, and lakes and to improve the quality of water. The Town is now required to meet various standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Under the established guideline, the Town shall minimize illegal discharges from entering in storm sewer systems and streams by developing a storm water management program. This web site has been created for you to learn more about this program and how you can help the Town in preventing the storm water pollution. What is an illegal discharge? Soap, detergents, cleaners, medicine/drugs, motor oil, gasoline and other petroleum products, paint, chlorinated water, pesticides, fertilizers, and similar products containing ingredients that may be harmful to aquatic organisms. Other objects such as paper cups, bottles, plastic bags, soda cans, soil, grass clippings animal wastes, and other similar materials are also considered illegal discharges. How do these illegal discharges get to the creeks and ponds? All water that drains off of streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks ends up in creeks, rivers and lakes. The water collects the harmful pollutants and carry them to creeks and lakes. You probably have seen opening alongside streets, we call these inlets. It is important to remember that all rain waters ultimately enter the creeks and lakes. How about fertilizes needed for the lawn? You can fertilize lightly as recommended by the manufacturer and use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Pollution occurs when landscaping water carries runoff to storm drainage system. Typical pollutants include herbicides, pesticide, fertilizers, and mulch. How could the pet wastes harm the fish and the environment? When pet waste is disposed of improperly, not only water quality suffers - your health may be at risk, too. When pet waste is washed into lakes or streams the waste decays, , using up oxygen and releasing ammonia that can kill fish. Disease or parasites that can also be transmitted from pet waste to humans. They include: • Campylobacteriosis - It causes severe diarrhea in humans. • Cryptosporidium - It causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration. • Toxocariasis - roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to human may cause vision loss, rash,fever ,or cough. • Toxoplsmosis - a parasite carried by cats can cause muscle aches, headache, and lymph node enlargement. Is it okay to discharge chlorinated pool or spa water into my alley or street? Chlorine, at low concentration, is typically not a problem. Please make sure the water has been dechlorinated (Concentration of less than 0.1ppm with PH of 7-8) before discharging it into streets and alleys. The discharged water ultimately enters lakes and creeks and if chlorine concentration is high, it could kill the fish.