Storm water drains are meant for rainwater and snowmelt only and should not be used as trash receptacles. Storm drains are cut into curbs and are meant to remove storm water quickly from streets and surrounding areas. Some of the Town of North Hempstead’s (TONH) storm drains are marked with a stainless steel medallion (see photo) that says “No Dumping-Drains to Bay,” to serve as a reminder that only rain should go down the drain. The town is featuring a video by Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District on its North Hempstead TV station that highlights the importance of keeping storm water runoff as pristine as possible. It can be viewed on channel 18 or 63 on Cablevision or channel 46 on Verizon.
“Educating people about storm water drains and how the whole system works is critical,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said. “If people know that anything poured down or placed into these drains leads to our beautiful Manhasset Bay or into groundwater, I am confident that they will cooperate and avoid doing so. Items like pet waste, leftover lawn fertilizer, used oil, food scraps and trash should never be placed in storm drains.”
The town urges residents to dispose of pet waste in the trash; and lawn fertilizer can be swept up and kept to be applied later. Used oil can often be returned to stores that sell motor oil. Residents can also call the town’s 311 number to inquire about Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P) events, where hazardous material is collected. The town will be holding its next S.T.O.P. event on April 9 at Michael J. Tully Park from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, go to www.northhempsteadny.gov/stopprogram.
For more information on the town’s environmental programs or S.T.O.P. events, call 311 or 516-869-6311. To report any illegal dumping into storm drains, call 311.
