Pollution Prevention Guide
What Is Storm Water Pollution
Many people think most of the pollution in our waterways come from large industries, corporations, and sewage treatment plants. But if all the sources of this pollution were eliminated tomorrow, over half the pollution would still remain. So where does all this pollution come from? All of us - in our everyday activities - are polluters. It's our detergents, pesticides, fertilizers, paints, litter, used motor oil, and other household hazardous products. Over time, these materials accumulate on our driveways, roadways, and other impervious surfaces such as parking lots. When it rains, these materials are collected by the rainwater and carried directly into one of many storm drains located throughout Nashville/Davidson County. Anything going into these storm drains eventually flows into the Cumberland River.
These pollutants can cause serious, even life-threatening problems. But with minimal effort from everyone in the community, our waterways will become cleaner. Pure Nashville ... right as rain.
This publication is a public service of:
Metro Water Services
NPDES Program
Storm Water Quality Control Team
1607 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
Phone (615) 880-2420
To report illicit discharges or illegal dumping down storm drains, call the
Storm Water Pollution Hotline
313-PURE
In cooperation with the following:
State of Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation
Division of Water Pollution Control
Environmental Protection Agency
Terrene Institute
(703) 519-2180
Environmental Hazards Management Institute
(603) 868-1496
Acronym Glossary:
- BMP - Best Management Practices
- EPA - Environmental Protection agency
- MDPW - Metro Department of Public Works
- MEP - Maximum Extent Practicable
- NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- SWMM - Storm Water Management Manual
- SWMP - Storm Water Mangament Program
- SWMPRC - Storm Water Management Program Review Committee
- WEA - Water Environment Association