MUFSD

Fact Sheet #3

"WATER-WISE" AND CONSERVE WATER

Water is our most precious natural resource, without it life ceases. Yet, judging by our water use and consumption practices, many of us take it for granted. It has been reported by the USEPA that a typical household uses approximately 260 gallons of water per day. According to the U.S. Geological Survey[1], of the 26 billion gallons of water consumed daily in the United States, approximately 7.8 billion gallons, or 30 percent[2], is devoted to outdoor uses. The majority of this, reportedly, was used for landscaping.

Utilizing lots of water for our household uses, increases the amount of wastewater being discharged to our wastewater treatment plants and/or on-site septic treatment systems.

Observing the following few simple guidelines in the garden, kitchen, bathroom and laundry room will help conserve this precious commodity.

WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING

· Water less so that grass roots go deeper into the soil and weeds growing in the top few inches of soil dry out and die[3]. Too much water promotes weak growth and increases mowing requirements

· Mow your lawn less frequently. This lowers the rate of evaporation

· Limit planting to native and low-water-use plants

· Use of mulches aid in greater water retention, moderating soil temperatures and preventing sediment erosion

· Do all your watering early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent evaporation during the hotter afternoon hours

IN THE KITCHEN

• Scrap dishes well before washing or rinsing
• Fill the sink with warm soapy water for washing dishes, and use a second sink, or container, of clear water for rinsing, to avoid the tap water from running needlessly during dish washing
• Run the dishwasher only when full
• Consider replacing old dishwashers with new water-saving dishwashers

IN THE BATHROOM

• Consider showering, which uses less water than bathing
• New low-flow showerheads can save 1-2 gallons per minute
• Installing a simple shower timer will alert you when your 5 minutes are up
• Check leaking toilets and get them replaced
• Replace old toilets, which use 6 gallons per flush with new toilets which only use 1.5 gallons per flush
• Check faucets and faulty fixtures for leaks and replace worn washers, o-rings and packing
• Insulate hot water pipes as water is wasted while you are waiting for hot water to start running in the shower

IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM

• High efficiency washers use about 23 gallons of water per load, as compared to 41 gallons used by old models[4]
• Use shorter cycles for lightly soiled loads
• Only run washer when it is full

MUFSD

Phase II Storm Water Program

Fact Sheet #4

STORM WATER RUNOFF: ILLICIT DISCHARGES

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground, but runs off into nearby streams and lakes. The runoff attributable to precipitation from rain or melting snow is considered as “wet-weather” runoff. In addition to “wet-weather” run-off, nearby streams and lakes are also subject to “dry-weather” flows or “illicit discharges” from non-stormwater discharges that enter the storm drainage system through direct and indirect connections. Sources of illicit discharges include: sanitary wastes, effluent from septic tanks and overflowing septic fields, car wash discharges, improper oil disposal, radiator flushing disposal, laundry wastewaters, leakages from improperly maintained automobiles, chlorinated swimming pool discharges, improper disposal of auto and household toxics.

STORMWATER DRAINAGE MAPPING

In order to address any illicit discharges that may exist from direct and indirect connections (illicit discharges) to the campus storm drainage system, MUFSD will develop a campus-wide drainage map for the Mamaroneck High School and the Hommocks Middle School. This map will document the campus stormwater drainage system at these schools, identify areas in need of stormwater retrofits, locate sensitive areas such as wet lands and identify the location of all outfalls.

MAPPING PROJECT

The stormwater mapping project will include three basic elements as follows:

· Element One will include the development of an overall base map, identifying the campus property boundaries and building structures

· Element two will include the development of a topographic map, identifying the extent of drainage, wetlands and streams that run through the campus

· Element three will include the development of storwater drainage map, locating current stormwater drainage system and key points of discharge

The sewer mapping project at the two school properties will be initiated in April 2007 (Permit Year 4) and will be completed by December 2007 (Permit Year 5).

STORM DRAIN STENCILING

After storm drainage mapping has been completed, the District will undertake storm drain stenciling of all identified manholes, catch basins curb inlets and field stake key points of discharge at the High School and the Middle School. This task will be carried out by Operations and Maintenance (O &M) Staff with assistance, as available, from MUFSD students and staff.

IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL ILLICIT DISCHARGES

As a part of the program to identify illicit discharges, the District, with assistance from the O &M Staff, will conduct a field survey of all the buildings and grounds, located at the High School and the Middle School to identify non-stormwater discharges, such as foundation drains, footing drains, overflowing septic flows, improper oil and chemical disposal, chlorinated swimming pool discharges and any other discharges that may be connected to the storm drain system.

This information will be compiled and evaluated to determine if the building drains are discharging uncontaminated water and/or if these discharges should be redirected away from the storm sewer drains.

The District will also establish an Annual Inspection Program of all Building Discharges and assign roles, responsibilities and training needs, relative to the Annual Inspection Program for illicit discharges.

O & M STAFF TRAINING

As part of the pollution prevention campaign on illicit discharges, the District will undertake a training program for the O & M Staff. The training program will include the distribution of educational materials on the proper handling and disposal of solid waste and non-stormwater discharges from vehicle operations, physical plant maintenance and landscaping and grounds care.

MUFSD

Phase II Storm Water Program

Fact Sheet #5

NATURAL LAND DISTURBANCE

Land erosion takes place by the wearing away of the surface of the land by the action of the wind, water, snow, ice and gravity. Natural or geologic erosion occurs over a long period of time, resulting in the wearing away of mountains and the building of flood plains to create the topography we know today.

ACCELERATED LAND DISTURBANCE

Accelerated land erosion is primarily the result of the influence of human activities on the environment such as from construction-related activities i.e. building of new schools, addition of new parking areas and recreational fields. Once soil is disturbed, the unprotected soil is then subject to rapid erosion by the action of wind, rain snow and ice.

STORMWATER: EROSION AND SEDIMENT ACTION

As noted above, land erosion can be caused by water, wind, ice and gravity. The focus of this fact sheet is directed at erosion caused by stormwater runoff. Rain drops initiate the process of erosion. Initially, individual soil particles are disturbed and transported by the splashing water. This action is typically followed by sheet erosion, which is the removal of a thin layer of soil from the land surface caused by shallow sheets of water running off the land. In some cases, rill erosion develops, as the shallow surface flows begin to concentrate in low spots and irregularities of the land. Gully erosion occurs when the flows in the rills come together to form larger channels. Channel erosion is the result of a larger volume of runoff and greater velocity in the drainage channels causing movement of the stream bed and bank materials. When rainfall events occur near shorelines, shoreline erosion may occur from the surging of the stormwater runoff onto the coast line and estuarine shorelines.

FACTORS INFLUENCING EROSION POTENTIAL

The erosion potential of any area is determined by four principal factors: soil characteristics, vegetative cover such as grassed areas or planting beds, topography and rainfall intensity. The erosion potential is higher from fine sands and silts than from gravel and course sands. Vegetative cover will reduce erosion and greater erosion will occur from higher intensity, frequent and longer duration rainfall events.

LAND USE CHANGES DEVELOPMENT

Reshaping of the land during construction or development alters the soil cover, often detrimentally affecting on-site drainage and stormwater runoff patterns. Construction-related activities affect erosion by:

· Removing the existing vegetative cover

· Prolonging the exposure of unprotected disturbed areas

· Increasing the impervious surfaces by compaction during construction

· Modifying drainage areas and topography of the land

PHASE II STORMWATER REGULATIONS

Phase II stormwater regulations deal with erosion and stormwater runoff from construction sites disturbing over one acre of soil. Under these regulations, a construction permit and a stormwater pollution prevention plan must be developed and submitted to the State for approval, before any construction can be initiated if the project will disturb more than one acre of soil. In addition all construction activities must be inspected by a licensed professional to ensure that the construction complies with the approved stormwater pollution prevention plan.