The Issue: Where does our litter go?
All storm drains on city, county, and campus streets drain directly to local waterways. Any substance other than rainwater that enters into a storm drain system goes directly into a local stream, creek, river or lake… Untreated… NO pollinates are removed!
NO DUMPING drains to stream. Why is it important not to litter?
The storm drain system, those grates and inlets you see along the side of the road, are responsible for carrying all stormwater (rain) from your home, your yard and even your school directly to local streams. All storm drains in the City of Columbia, Boone County, and MU campus streets drain directly to local waterways.
Any substance other than rainwater that enters into a storm drain system goes directly into a local stream, creek, river or lake… Untreated… NO pollinates are removed!
Storm water inlets (catch basin) on streets, roadways and parking lots drain straight to local streams.
The storm drain system is not connected to the wastewater system (sanitary sewer), which drains water from the plumbing of your home, school and friends house. Storm drains do not send water to a treatment facility where it is cleaned of litter.
All stormwater runoff that flows into curb inlets travels through a pipes, long or short, and discharges to the closest waterway, maybe in your own backyard. All waterways in Columbia end up in the Missouri River by way of one of our creeks such as Hinkson, Flat Branch, Bear Creek, Grindstone, Bonne Femme.
Stormwater drains and Sanitary sewers are two separate systems in Columbia, MO.
Storm drain inlets on surface streets are connected directly to stormwater outfalls (above) dumping "People Pollution" directly into your local creeks and streams untreated. Litter and trash are NOT removed.
That means the rainwater and everything it touches – from dirt, motor oil, roadside litter – flows straight into creeks, streams, and local waterways untreated. The litter is not removed. Street litter and trash ends up in our local waterways. That is how the system works in Columbia, MO and everywhere else in the world!
This is where your water comes from. Do you fish, do you hunt, do you go swimming in a local water body? Well this is what you are swimming in.... our People Pollution.
Roadside litter and trash "People Pollution" in local Columbia, Mo creeks and streams.
Volunteers marking local storm drains
City of Columbia, Storm Drain Markers
Community volunteers marking drains
People Pollution
This rainwater, or polluted runoff (people pollution), comes from things we do every day. Anything you dump or drop on the ground adds to polluted runoff. The most common pollutants result from littering. Trash like fast-food wrappers, plastic water bottles, soda cans, plastic cups, foam cups, and even pet waste can end up polluting our local waterways. Drips and drops from leaking car's ... motor oil... even the fertilizer you spread on to your yard... work it's way into the stormwater drain system and go straight to a local water body!
Capen Park - Columbia, MO / Trash and litter collected from Hinkson Creek in less than 45 minutes.
Litter working its way to local creeks and streams.
Litter clean up @ Flat Branch Park / Downtown Columbia, MO
Where does the litter go when you throw it on the ground... DO YOU KNOW YOUR SHED?
The City of Columbia, Missouri has 17 watersheds located just within our city limits. The largest watershed is the Hinkson Creek watershed. The Hinkson drains roughly 88.5 square miles of land, all in Boone County. Hinkson Creek itself is 26 miles long, originating east of Hallsville and traveling southwest through the city to join Perche Creek in southwest Columbia. Streams are everywhere in Columbia; chances are you have one in your own backyard or live within minutes of a local waterway.
Citizens of Columbia are instrumental in keeping roads, public right of ways, our local streams and parks clean and free of litter and trash. The result is a healthier watershed and attractive community. So... do you know your watershed?
Seen these signs along the roadway around town? Learn more about your watershed and what you CAN do protect our local waterways and recreational waters.