Test Your Stormwater IQ - H2OC Stormwater Program

1: In Orange County the storm drain system and the sewer system are part of the same underground system.

True

False

Correct Incorrect

The storm drain system is separate from the sewer system. Stormwater runoff flows untreated, directly to channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

2: The water and other substances that flow through the storm drain system are tested and filtered to remove wastes before they are discharged to the ocean.

True

False

Correct Incorrect

The storm drain system releases untreated water into channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

3: With few exceptions, it is illegal for anyone to dispose of, or allow anything other than rainwater to enter the storm drains.

True

False

Correct Incorrect

Most discharges to a municipal storm drain that are not composed entirely of stormwater are illegal.

4: Stormwater pollution can be caused by

Local businesses

Incorrect – Local Businesses can contribute to water pollution, but it is not the only source.

People like you and me

Incorrect – People like you and me can contribute to water pollution, but it is not the only source.

Pets

Incorrect – Pets can contribute to water pollution, but it is not the only source.

All of the above

Correct – Anything we use in our homes, cars, and businesses like motor oil, paint, pesticides, fertilizers, and cleaners can wind up in the street. A little water from rain or a garden hose can carry automotive and household materials through the storm drain, polluting the bay, wetlands and the ocean.

5: To dispose of toxic or poisonous products and their containers, you should:

Flush them down the toilet or sanitary sewer

Incorrect – Flushing toxics or poisonous products down the toilet or sanitary sewer is not only damaging to the sewer system but illegal. For more information on proper disposal, contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or OC Waste and Recycling.

Take them to a household hazardous waste collection site

Correct – For more information, contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or http://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous/.

Place in a storm drain

Incorrect – Disposing of toxic or poisonous products into the storm drain is illegal and harmful to the aquatic environment. For more information on proper disposal, contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or http://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous/.

6: To properly dispose of used motor oil you should:

Recycle it at a local used oil collection center.

Correct – Used motor oil should be recycled. For additional information about the nearest oil recycling centers near you go to https://ochealthinfo.com/services-programs/environmental-health/hazardous-materials/used-oil-recycling-program.

Pour it down the storm drain.

Incorrect – Only clean water should go down the storm drain. Anything that goes into our storm drain system goes untreated into our creeks, rivers, and ocean.

Place it in a can, let it cool, and put in in a closed trash bin.

Incorrect – This is the proper way to dispose of FOG (fats, oils, and grease) waste NOT motor oil.

7: When you wash your car at home you should:

Use any cleaner available

Incorrect – Since the rinse or wash water contains residues from exhaust fumes, gasoline, and motor oils, you should use less toxic alternatives and biodegradable soaps. Additional cleaners should be applied and then wiped off with a rag or towel, not rinsed off.

Try to divert water to a landscaped or planted area

Correct – This allows the wash water to filter through vegetation and/or soil instead of flowing directly into a storm drain.

Also clean your engine

Incorrect – You should only degrease or clean your engine at authorized facilities equipped to properly process the contaminated wash water.

8: When you use pesticides or fertilizers in your home and garden you should:

Select less toxic alternatives, read the directions, and use only the amount needed

Correct – Pesticides and fertilizers are chemicals that not only kill garden invaders, they can also harm useful insects, poison fish, and contaminate ground water and the ocean.

Dispose of the partially full containers in your household garbage

Incorrect – You should take them to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site for proper disposal. For more information contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or OC Waste and Recycling.

Use extra water to make sure pesticides or fertilizers penetrate the soil

Incorrect – You should always try to conserve water by not overwatering, which allows pesticide and fertilizer runoff to be washed into storm drains and waterways. You should also not apply pesticides if it is windy or within 48 hours of a rainstorm.

9: When caring for your pet you should:

Pick up your dog’s waste, seal it in a bag, and dispose of it in a closed trash bin.

Incorrect – While this is a way to protect OC’s waterways, there’s a better choice.

Bathe pets indoors if possible. If outdoor bathing is necessary, do it on grass or gravel instead of hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks.

Incorrect – While this is a way to protect OC’s waterways, there’s a better choice.

Properly dispose of used flea collars at a household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

Incorrect – While this is a way to protect OC’s waterways, there’s a better choice.

All of the above.

Correct – All of these options are terrific ways to protect OC’s waterways while caring for your pet.

10: When you see a water pollution problem you should:

Please select all that apply.

Call the County’s Water Pollution Reporting Hotline

Visit https://myOCeServices.ocgov.com to submit a Service Request under Water Pollution.

Call 911 if it’s an emergency

All of the above

Correct – Depending on the situation, you can do any of these three actions when reporting pollution: call the County’s Water Pollution Reporting Hotline at (877) 89-SPILL(77455), visit https://myOCeServices.ocgov.comto submit a Service Request under Water Pollution, or call 911 if it’s an emergency.

Incorrect – Depending on the situation, you can do any of these three actions when reporting pollution: call the County’s Water Pollution Reporting Hotline at (877) 89-SPILL(77455), visit https://myOCeServices.ocgov.comto submit a Service Request under Water Pollution, or call 911 if it’s an emergency.