When it rains, it pours.
Or, so it seems in Florida.
Central Florida landscapes can easily get 2 inches to 3 inches of rain in a typical afternoon rainstorm.
And, all of this storm water washes over our roads, roofs, gutters, driveways, lawns and landscapes — carrying plant debris, pesticides, fertilizers and other contaminants into our waterways.
Even oil from cars, trash and pest waste are picked up by storm water and deposited into a body of water.
Our lawns and homes are connected, in one way or another, to some body of water.
Some lawns are directly connected to waterways through runoff flowing into surface waters in retention ponds, lakes, streams, or even eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
Other storm waters take a more indirect route through storm drains along our roadways, which eventually flow into the groundwater below.
Storm water runoff carries pollutants into our drinking water supply below ground in the aquifer.
Since our groundwater is very close to the surface in Florida, how we maintain our homes and landscapes has a direct impact on the quality of our drinking water and the irrigation used on crops.
It also affects the wildlife living in these waters.
And, with Florida’s expanding population, our water pollution increases.
Decisions we make influence the health of our water, both in water bodies and below ground — subsequently affecting our health.
Nitrogen and phosphorous, which are found in fertilizers, contribute to water pollution by fueling the growth of algae.
Algae growth can deplete water of oxygen, leading to fish kills and “blooms” that can smother natural vegetation.
Invasive weeds can overtake “unhealthy” surface waters due to nutrient pollution, and some pesticides can potentially damage aquatic wildlife.
A healthy, maintained lawn and landscape, on the other hand, can filter storm water, reducing these contaminants.
Here are a few simple guidelines to follow around your home that will help reduce storm water runoff and pollutants.
- Direct downspouts from gutters into your lawn or landscape so that water can soak into the soil and not run across impervious spaces such as driveways and walkways. That will reduce the pollutants carried into water bodies. This also allows the lawn a chance to filter and absorb some contaminants coming from the roof and some of the landscape debris from the gutters. Dead leaves and twigs are full of nutrients that should be recycled in the landscape and not allowed into waterways as pollutants.
- When possible, use gravel, mulch, and brick (anything permeable) for walkways and patios. These materials allow rainwater to percolate into the ground, filtering contaminants and reducing runoff from your yard.
- Use rain barrels (or cisterns) to capture rainwater for use in the landscape. This is an excellent way to recycle water, reduce irrigation and lower your water bill. You can mosquito-proof rain barrels easily, hook up two or more to each other, even connect them to your irrigation system and pretty them up with paint or hide them with foliage. Rain barrels are an easy way to fill watering cans for hand watering, too.
- Build rain gardens, planted with grasses and other plants tolerant of wet areas, to filter runoff. Rain gardens work best in areas where water tends to collect in the landscape or at the bottom of downspouts. They work great for diverting water from walkways or around houses and they can be basically any shape or size needed to handle the water. They even make nice focal points and attract wildlife.
- Fertilize plants (including turf) only when they are actively growing. Ensure fertilizer is only going on the intended plant material and not impervious spaces, such as driveways or roads, or into ponds, lakes or other water bodies. Use the guard on the fertilizer spreader.
- Irrigate only when the plants need water; use a rain shutoff device or soil moisture sensor so you’re only irrigating when it’s necessary. Ensure sprinklers are irrigating plants and not pavement.
- Don’t blow leaves or lawn clippings into the roadways and storm drains. Plant debris is full of nutrients, which contributes to water pollution. Keep clippings on the lawn — they are full of nitrogen. Compost yard waste such as leaves and small branches.
- Use pesticides responsibly by only using pesticides when necessary, at the right time, and only based on the label’s directions. Identify the pest before using a pesticide, and start with the lowest toxicity pesticides first. In many cases, a pesticide is not necessary for control of certain pests, so call your local UF/IFAS Extension Office for advice.
- Consider aerating your lawn if compaction is a problem. When done properly, this helps the turf stay healthy, and relieves compaction making it easier for water to percolate down through the soil and not runoff across the surface.
- Only allow water down storm drains.
Each of us can save money and reduce storm water runoff by following some of these simple steps.
Rainwater falling today represents our past, our present and our future.
Help protect the environment and your personal health.
For more information about Florida-Friendly Landscaping, rain barrels, fertilization, pesticide use, etc., call the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco Extension Office at (352) 518-0156.
Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.
Published July 26, 2017
