Stormwater Tips

May 2021

How much rain can one tree collect? A mature tree can reduce stormwater runoff by over 1,000 gallons a year.

Trees help decrease the amount of pollutants reaching our local waterways in three ways:

The surface of leaves, branches and trunks intercept and store rainfall;
Root growth and decomposition of organic matter increase the rate of infiltration of rainfall into the soil; and
Trees recycle rainfall back into the atmosphere through evaporation

Remember, only rain goes down the storm drain! For more information, contact the Stormwater Division at (229) 259-3530

April 2021

March 2021

Let’s face it, not all of us can have a yard landscaped in glorious native perennials. Most of us have plain old turf grass lawns to maintain. With spring approaching, it’s time to dust off the lawn mower and settle in for another season of yard care. Responsible mowing and proper lawn care techniques will keep grass clippings and chemicals out of the storm drains and ultimately out of our rivers and streams.

Mow like a pro without impacting water quality by following these simple tips:

Mow your lawn so no more than one-third of the length of the grass is removed;
Leave the grass clippings on the lawn or compost;
Sweep grass on all paved areas back on the lawn;
Water wisely; and
Spot treat weeds.

Remember, only rain goes down the storm drain! For more information, contact the Stormwater Division at (229) 259 – 3530.

February 2021

January 2021

December

October

Halloween will be here before you can say, “Boo!” So, as you prepare for that spooky, kooky holiday coming up, take a few minutes to incorporate these simple stormwater-friendly tricks and tips into your autumn activities.

- Ban that bag!

When your little super heroes and princesses go trick-or-treating, be sure they use a reusable bag to collect their treats. Canvas bags and pillowcases are great alternatives to plastic or even paper bags, and they are much sturdier.

- Don’t be a trash monster!

Remind your little trick-or-treaters to never throw candy wrappers on the ground as they’ll flow into our creeks and rivers once the next rain event happens.

- Recycle costumes!

When photos last forever, and every Halloween requires a new look, A LOT of costumes end up getting worn once and discarded. Instead of tossing your costumes in the trash, or banishing them to a box in the basement, why not give them to charity, Trade with family and/or friends, or stuff ‘em and use them in your garden as scarecrows?

- Volunteer/Participate!

October 10: Rivers Cleanup: For more information please visit, https://www.valdostacity.com/event/valdosta-lowndes-love-your-river-clean-0.

November 14: Fall Electronic Recycling Day: For more information please visit, https://www.valdostacity.com/event/fall-electronics-recycling-event-1.

Remember, only rain goes down the storm drain! For more information, contact the Stormwater Division at (229) 259-3530.

September

Nearly every community has a nearby waterway, whether a river, lake or creek. Unfortunately, these areas tend to be litter magnets. In fact, nearly 40% of US rivers have been declared too polluted for swimming, fishing or other recreational activities. Cleaning these waterways not only has environmental advantages but can improve community morale and beautification, while also inspiring other cleanup projects.

The City of Valdosta, Lowndes County and WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. is partnering to host this year’s River Cleanup Event on Saturday, October 10^th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Every year, we depend on volunteers like you to help clean our community from the impacts of plastic, tires and trash. To help make a difference, you can sign up at www.cognitoforms.com/Valdosta1/RiverCleanUpVolunteerSignUp or contact Angela Bray at 229.259.3530.

What to bring: