The Mountain House Community Services District (MHCSD) employs a variety
of storm water drainage concepts intended to improve water quality. These
measures enhance aesthetic, hydrologic, and biological functions of the
water resources to minimize construction and maintenance costs, as well
as protect the environment.
Storm water main pipelines are designed to withhold a 100-year storm event,
which is an event that has a 1% chance of happening in any given year.
Within each Mountain House neighborhood, runoff will be collected in underground
storm water pipes. These local conduits will connect to larger trunklines
in each neighborhood. For neighborhoods near Mountain House Creek or golf
courses, local storm water pipes will connect directly to BMP (Best Management
Practices) storm water basins located in the creek corridor or golf courses.
Water Pollution
The primary purpose of storm drains is to carry rainwater away from development
to prevent flooding. Storm drains are not connected to sanitary sewer systems
and water treatment plants. Many people don't realize that untreated storm
water and the pollutants it carries flow into the streams, creeks, rivers
and oceans where wildlife live and children play.
Storm water pollution occurs when water rinses off streets, housing, parking
lots and businesses into our gutters and storm drains, taking with it yard
waste, litter, trash, grease, household cleaners and solvents, animal and
human waste, lawn and garden fertilizers and soil erosion. Every year,
streams, creeks, rivers and lakes are degraded by pollution.
4 Ways to Prevent Water Pollution
- Dispose of
yard waste more frequently.
By disposing of leaf, grass, shrubs and other organic matter in your yard more frequently, less will wash into storm drains. Yard waste can be placed in the Brown Cart and is collected weekly during leaf pick up season.
- Reduce reliance on landscape chemical products.
Decrease the use of lawn and garden care products such as pesticides, insecticides, weed killers, fertilizers, herbicides and other chemical-based soil amendments and avoid over-irrigation when you do use them. Over-irrigation carries the garden chemicals into the gutter, down the storm drain and into our local lakes, rivers and bays. When possible, use non-toxic gardening methods.
- Use a broom.
Conserve water and prevent debris from flowing into gutters and down our storm drains by using a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and parking areas. Sweep up debris and dump it into your trash can, and rake up yard waste and put into your Brown Cart.
- Buy non-toxic products.
When possible, use non-toxic products for cleaning. If you must use a product that is toxic, buy it in small quantities, use it sparingly and be sure to properly dispose of unused portions.