Atlantic County: "Only Rain in the Drain"

"No Dumping. Only Rain in the Drain." The message posted over more than half of Atlantic County, New Jersey's approximately 2,000 storm water drains is clear. Local residents and officials are just hoping their storm water will be, too.

"It's to make sure nothing unsafe to the environment goes into the drains, which may get into streams and other bodies of water," said county public works director Harry Tillett. "You want to make sure what goes in there is basically water."

And to make sure area drains stay free of debris and contaminates, county officials are working to inform residents and vacuum drains regularly.

"On a yearly basis we check every basin we have and clean it out," Tillett said. "For the most part what we see is normally leaves or decaying organic matter. On occassion there are people who do things that are not good for the environment."

Illegal hookups found during these routine inspections are reported to the county's engineering department. Other problems such as illegal dumping may be referred to the health department.

Current regulations require that half of the county's metal message signs be bolted into place already. Newer grates already bear the "No dumping. Only Rain in the Drain." message.

County officials warn residents, too, that dumping is not their only storm water concern, but also runoff and seepage from lawn fertilizers, litter, pet waste, motor oil and antifreeze.

"Nonpoint source pollution threatens aquatic and marine life, recreational water activities, the fishing industry, tourism and drinking water resources," said Tillett.

Atlantic County is now developing a storm water database that will include specific information about inlets and pipe ends so as to aid the maintenance, repair and cleaning processes.

Source: The Press of Atlantic City