A Clean Water Project

Pensacola is an old city and most of our neighborhoods were developed long before there were any rules or facilities to control stormwater runoff. Stormwater is rainwater that does not seep into the ground after a rainfall. It drains off your property, picking up fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, oil, pet waste or other contaminants, carrying them into our storm drains. Most storm drains empty into Bayou Texar, Bayou Chico, Pensacola Bay or Escambia Bay and over the years, stormwater has contributed to the deterioration of these bodies of water. Stormwater deposited materials increases turbidity and reduces oxygen, limiting the recreational accessibility of area waters.

A Solution to Pollution

Walking on the beach The City of Pensacola recognizes the importance of high quality area waters to Pensacola's quality of life. The city is moving aggressively on several fronts not only to control the volume and force of stormwater but also to clean up the stormwater that eventually reaches our bays and bayous.

Stormwater Projects

The City Council has committed more than $4 million to improving stormwater in 2001 and is projecting expenditures of nearly $44 million over the next 20 years.

Projects this year include:

• The East Hill storm sewer project
• "F" and Lee Streets drainage project
• Bayou Texar stormwater treatment vaults
• Purchase of a new street sweeper and increased street sweeping schedule
• East Hill stormwater treatment vaults and retention ponds

Save Our Waters

The City encourages residents and neighborhoods to become actively involved in efforts to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff. There are many things that can be done to improve our waters and minimize the pollution that enters storm drains.

What you can do

• Bag your leaves, grass clippings and other yardGardening debris or place loose material curbside, but not in the street, for pick up by City Sanitation. Decaying grass and leaves entering bayous and bays decrease the amount of oxygen and can lead to algae growth and fish kills.
• Start a compost pile and invest in a mulching blade for your lawn mower.
• Use fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides responsibly and as needed, preferably in dry weather. Not only can they be toxic to wildlife, they can also lead to excessive algae growth. Use natural, organic fertilizers as much as possible.
• Dispose of motor oil and other household hazardous wastes at designated locations. These can be toxic to wildlife and further damage water quality.
• Wash your car on your lawn and let the nutrient rich, soapy water fertilize your grass at the same time. Wash water adds excessive nutrients to our waterways.
• Maintain good ground cover to reduce erosion from property.

The Drain is for Rain

REMEMBER, ANYTHING THAT GOES INTO OUR CITY STREETS AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM ENDS UP IN OUR BAYS AND BAYOUS. DON'T PUT ANYTHING INTO OUR DRAINS THAT YOU WOULDN'T DRINK OR PLAY IN.

Please call 435-1755 for more information. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A program sponsored by the City of Pensacola.