No Dumping In Storm Drains

Town of North Hempstead residents are reminded that storm water drains are meant for rainwater and snowmelt only and should not be used as trash receptacles. Storm drains cut into curbs and are meant to remove stormwater quickly from streets and surrounding areas.
Some of the town’s storm drains are marked with a stainless steel medallion (shown in the photo) that says “No Dumping. Drains to Bay,” to serve as a reminder that only rain should go down the drain.
The town is currently featuring a video by Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District on its North Hempstead TV station that highlights the importance of keeping stormwater runoff as pristine as possible. It can be viewed on channel 18 or 63 on Cablevision, channel 46 on Verizon or by visiting www.bit.ly/1U5VWL6.
“Educating people about stormwater drains and how the whole system works is critical,” 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 please visit: www.northhempsteadny.gov/stopprogram.
The Town of North Hempstead shares this mission with the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee (MBPC), of which the town is a proud member. The MBPC was formed in the 1990’s with the goal of restoring and protecting Manhasset Bay. Committee membership is open to all local governments located in the watershed of Manhasset Bay. For more information on Manhasset Bay and how you can help protect and preserve it, visit the committee’s website at www.manhassetbayprotectioncommittee.org.
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, residents can contact 311.