What can you do about illicit discharges?

You can help keep our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater clean by applying the following tips.

  • Sweep it. Do you have extra fertilizer, grass clippings, or dirt on your driveway or sidewalk? Sweep it back onto your lawn. Hosing your driveway sends these pollutants
    into storm drains that lead directly to our lakes and rivers.
  • Keep it clean. Whether in the street or in your yard, remember to keep leaves, grass clippings, trash, and fertilizers away from storm drains.
  • Only rain in the drain. Never dump motor oil, chemicals, pet waste, dirty or soapy water, or anything else down the storm drain. All of these materials pollute our lakes and rivers!
  • Clean it. Clean up after your pet to reduce pet waste traveling to local waterways.
  • Dispose of it properly. Take household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, etc.) to a local collection event.
  • Report it. If you see someone dumping something into a storm drain, or see a direct connection to a storm drain that may be pollution you are encouraged to report it. You can do this by contacting the Public Works/Transportation Department at 305-466- 8970 or contact the Aventura Police Department non-emergency number at 305-466- 8989.

Many people think storm drains connect into the City’s sewage system and that everything placed in the drain will end up at wastewater plants for treatment. In actuality, storm drains lead to local waterways. Here in Aventura, almost all storm drains eventually drain to either the Intracoastal or fresh water aquafer. Debris and contaminants can enter the storm drain system by way of stormwater runoff.


Show All Answers

1. What can you do about illicit discharges?
2. What Is runoff?
3. Why is runoff a problem? Why should I care?
4. Does runoff effect our community?
5. What can I do about runoff?