GLADES COUNTY -- Stormwater management is the effort to reduce runoff of rainwater into streets, lawns and other sites and the improvement of water quality. When stormwater is absorbed into the soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. When heavy rainwater hits ground saturated by water, the excess water runs across the surface and into the roadways and ditches. This water runoff often carries debris, chemicals, bacteria, eroded soil, and other pollutants, and carries them into streams, rivers, lakes, or wetlands.

Stormwater pollution is one of the most difficult sources of water pollution to control because it is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Everyone can help prevent stormwater pollution and in turn protect our water resources. By putting fewer pollutants on the land, stormwater will be cleaner as it flows into our stream, lakes, rivers and the ocean.

What can you do to help? There are many things that citizens can do to help minimize the impacts of stormwater, including:
• Never dump anything on the street, down a storm drain, or into a drainage ditch.

• Clean up after your pet in your yard, on walks, in public parks, and in rest-areas while traveling.
• Use less fertilizer and do not apply when the forecast calls for heavy rain.
• Check your vehicles for leaks and repair them.
• Not blowing leaves and grass into storm drains or ditches.
• Direct downspouts onto lawns and away from paved surfaces.
• Dispose of toxic products at local household hazardous waste collection centers.
• Properly maintaining your septic system.

Glades County maintains a webpage with information and resources to help keep our waters clean. There is information specific to Glades County and links to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District, to name a few. There is information on stormwater management, landscape guides, septic system maintenance, and the University of Florida /IFAS Florida Yards and Neighborhood Program. The link to Glades County webpage is www.myglades.com/water_quality/index.php