Stormwater

Stormwater begins as rain or snowmelt that falls on or washes over both pervious (grass, woodlands, gardens and other undeveloped lands) and impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets, and other hard surfaces). It flows from rooftops, through lawns, over paved streets, sidewalks and parking lots, across bare soil, and eventually flows untreated into storm drains to our streams, creeks and rivers.

Stormwater runoff is created from excess water that cannot be absorbed by pervious surfaces or from water flowing off impervious areas. Rather than being absorbed into the ground, rainwater enters the city's stormwater drainage system, a network of catch basins, yard inlets and pipes that keep water from flooding roads and property. Water is diverted through the network and eventually to the city's streams, rivers, and lakes. As it flows, runoff collects and transports pet waste, soil, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, litter, and other pollutants. These materials carried with the stormwater are called non-point source pollution, and are some of the largest sources of pollution to our water. Because stormwater has the potential to pick up pollutants as it crosses over the land, its protection is vital to the health of our environment and our drinking water.

You Can Protect Our Waterways

Report Illegal Dumping. If you have witnessed illegal dumping in the City of Grand Prairie or know of a location where illegal dumping has occurred, please call the Illegal Dumping Hotline at 972-237-8064.

Remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains to avoid water runoff; during winter, runoff can freeze causing slippery conditions. No matter how much you water it, concrete will not bloom! Prevent runoff and save the water for your plants!

Bag your pet’s waste – don’t just leave it there. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterways.

Select native and adapted plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Learn more about native and adaptive plants at www.txsmartscape.com.

Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Vegetation can help act as a natural filter for polluted stormwater runoff.

When washing your car at home, wash with only water or use biodegradable soap and wash it on a lawn or other unpaved surface; better yet, take your car to a professional car wash.

If you change your car’s oil, don’t dump it on the ground or in the storm drain; dispose of it properly at an oil-recycling center.

Check your car, boat, or motorcycle for leaks. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material; don’t rinse spills into the storm drain.

Don’t get rid of grass clippings and other yard waste by dumping or sweeping it into the street. Yard waste that is left in the street eventually goes into the storm drain; this will cause depleted oxygen for aquatic life and may cause flooding.  Instead, compost your yard waste or sweep it onto your lawn for added nutrients.

Don’t get rid of old or unused paint by throwing it down the storm drain; dispose of paint and other household hazardous waste at recycling facilities. The City of Grand Prairie hosts a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event several times a year where Grand Prairie residents may drop off household hazardous waste such as paint, motor oil, and pesticides. Check out www.timetorecycle.com for more information on recycling opportunities.  

Don’t pump your pool water into the storm drain – pool chemicals can be hazardous to our creek habitats. Whenever possible, drain your pool into the sanitary sewer system where it can be treated.

Don’t mess with Texas! Throw litter away in a garbage can, not out your window. Recycle what you can! Litter carried away by wind or rain goes directly into our creeks and rivers via storm drains! Once in our waterways, these “floatables” can cause flooding, trap and choke wildlife, impede recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and boating, cause adverse economic impacts on businesses, and reduce the aesthetic value of our neighborhoods and waterways.

Developers, builders, and construction site operators, click here to learn how to prevent stormwater pollution at construction sites. (For the Spanish version click here).

Watch these stormwater videos, courtesy of Salt Lake County Engineering Division:

• 2005 Stormwater Public Service Announcement (mov)
• 2004 Stormwater Public Service Announcement (wmv)

For a broad overview of stormwater pollution, including runoff from residential and commercial properties, farms, construction sites, automotive facilities, forestry operations, and others, please see After the Storm in English or Spanish.