Jefferson City storm water quality precautions
Jefferson City officials are asking residents to take precautions to protect the city’s storm water quality.
More possible rain is predicted in parts of Mid-Missouri for Thursday and Friday. When it rains, runoff can carry hazardous chemicals like fertilizer or other wastes to storm drains, creeks and rivers.
Most storm drains go straight to creeks or streams and are not typically part of the sanitary sewer system.
“It ends up in the streams and it affects the aquatic life and various other plants and things,” Jefferson City Public Works Director Matt Morasch said.
According to public works, things that can pollute or clog up the storm water system include over fertilizing your lawn, not picking up pet waste or dumping grass clippings and tree branches on the sides of ditches and creek banks.
Jefferson City resident Warren Krech told ABC 17 News he takes precautions to prevent runoff from ending up in the creek behind his home.
“About 20 feet on our side of the creek I just let it grow out,” Krech said. “We used to mow down there to keep it in kind of a play area and a friend of mine at Missouri Department of Conservation said, ‘no you should leave a repairing zone.’ So I just let it go and that helps out quite a bit I think.”
Public works reminds residents there is a lawn and garden waste recycling site free to residents at 2417 Southridge Drive as well as a free household hazardous waste facility at Hyde Park.
