The stormwater pollution ordinance (.pdf file) is designed to keep our rivers, streams and ponds healthier by strengthening the rules on spilling or dumping of pollutants into storm drains, inlets, ditches, streams, rivers or other surface water.
What kind of pollution?
Almost all types of chemicals, trash and wastes are banned from being dumped or spilled into storm drains. This includes oil, fuel, antifreeze, solvents, soaps, acids, household cleaners, plastic, paper, and rotting food or organic material.
What about polluted water that I need to dump out?
The only type of water you can send down the storm drain is rain water; sometimes called "stormwater" ("Only rain down the drain"). Any water not directly produced by rain is prohibited. This includes process waters from industry, washing-machine discharges, sanitary sewage and soapy water from power-washing. All those discharges need to go to the sanitary sewers instead.
Are there any exceptions?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a very narrow list of "non-stormwater" type discharges that we can allow into our system. Clean water from a hose or sprinkler is OK. Groundwater, seepage from springs, and clean sump-pump discharges are OK. The EPA also makes exceptions for some potentially contaminated waters that can't realistically be excluded. These include fire-fighting water, street wash waters, and dechlorinated water line flushing done by the water utilities.
Can I wash my car in the driveway?
Yes, you can. The EPA makes an exception for "residential car washing," and so do we. It would be better for the environment if you would divert the water flow into your grass (so the dirty water soaks in) or if you could go to a commercial car wash (where the water is reused and eventually sent to a wastewater treatment plant). This is only a suggestion though, not a requirement.
… And charity car washes?
For now, community and school groups can hold charity car washes. Over time, we'll help groups find the most environmentally-friendly way possible to hold their fundraisers.
It's fall and I need to empty my swimming pool...
Swimming pool water is allowed in the storm drain as long as the water doesn't contain detectable levels of chlorine. Water can be dechlorinated by letting it sit four to five days after the last treatment or by neutralizing it with pool chemicals.
...and filter backwash? Federal standards require backwash water from pools and spa filters from going down the storm drain. Newly constructed pools will be required to connect their filter backwash to the sanitary sewer. Single-family residential pools will be exempt as long as the backwash water is drained to the lawn and not connected to a storm drain.
At the current time, the city does not require existing pools to modify their filter backwash system in order to connect to the sanitary sewer.
What about all my old paint and chemicals in the garage?
Please, please, please – do not dump these out. Some of these items can be highly toxic to pets, fish, frogs, birds and insects living in the water. Make a drop-off appointment online with Johnson County Environmental's Household Hazardous Materials Collection Program, and they'll take care of it for you. Or call them at 913/492-0402.
What about pressure-washing of buildings, parking lots, etc?
Water run-off from power-washing is allowed in the storm drain only when:
- The water used is clean and doesn't contain any soaps, detergent, degreasers, solvents, etc.
- The surface being washed is something normally exposed to the elements, such as a building face or parking lot.
- The surface is not unusually contaminated – such as through an oil or chemical spill.
In all other cases, power-washing discharges must be captured and hauled to a disposal facility or it must be discharged to the sanitary sewer. If you are involved in the commercial power washing, please contact the city for further details. We are working on final coordination issues with the Johnson County Wastewater and Environmental departments.
I've seen (or accidentally caused) a spill or chemical release. Who do I call?
If it appears to be an emergency or immediate threat to human safety, contact 911. If it's not life-threatening, contact Jim Twigg with the city at 913/895-6273. You also should contact the Johnson County Environmental Department; their number is 913/492-0402.
How will this be enforced?
We hope that most people will do the right thing. We will continue to provide education through articles in the newsletter and speaking engagements with homes associations, business groups, and other organizations. Where voluntary compliance isn't enough, the city can order problems fixed, abate the problems ourselves and charge the costs to the property owners and/or seek fines or jail time in Municipal Court.
Why are we doing all this?
The EPA has found that pollution of rivers and streams continues to be a major environmental and public health problem – and that much of the pollution comes from everyday spills and dumping of chemicals. Urban areas have some of the largest problems.
Why adopt an ordinance?
Under EPA rules, the city is required to adopt this ordinance. These same rules apply to most other communities in the Kansas City area as well as to most cities and towns in the nation.
Whom do I contact with comments?
You may contact either: