Have you ever wondered where storm drains lead? Or where the soap and detergent go when you wash your car and the water runs down the driveway?
Anything that flows over pavement has the potential to be collected during rainfall and carried directly into the stormwater drainage system. Common pollutants such as oil, grease, trash, and debris are swept into storm drains and eventually discharged into nearby rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Unlike the drains inside our homes, storm drains are not designed to filter or treat water. Whatever enters them flows untreated into natural waterways, where it can harm fish, wildlife, and overall water quality.
Have you ever wondered where storm drains lead? Or where the soap and detergent go when you wash your car and the water runs down your driveway?
Anything that flows over pavement has the potential to be carried into the stormwater drainage system during rainfall. Common pollutants such as oil, grease, trash, and debris are swept into storm drains and eventually discharged into nearby rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Unlike the drains inside our homes, storm drains are not designed to filter or treat water. Whatever enters them flows untreated into natural waterways, where it can harm fish, wildlife, and overall water quality.
How Stormwater Runoff Impacts the Environment
Stormwater does not soak into the ground when it falls on impervious surfaces like concrete, compacted soil, streets, driveways, and rooftops. Instead, it runs off these surfaces and into storm drains, picking up pollutants along the way. This contaminated runoff can damage ecosystems, degrade water quality, and threaten aquatic life.
Common Stormwater Pollutants
- Oil and motor oil
- Grease
- Fertilizers
- Detergents
- Trash and debris
- Grass clippings
- Leaves (these should be bagged and placed out for regular trash pickup)
- Pet waste
- Household chemicals
- Expired medications
What Can You Do to Help?
Use Rainwater as a Resource
Rainwater can be collected and reused to water gardens, wash vehicles, and more. Installing rain barrels around your home helps divert water from storm drains, reduces pollution, and conserves treated drinking water. It’s also free—meaning potential savings on your water bill. During dry periods, collected rainwater can help keep plants healthy while protecting local waterways.
Reduce Litter
Litter from streets, sidewalks, vehicles, and illegal dumping often ends up in storm drains. If you see trash, be a good neighbor and dispose of it properly. If you witness illegal dumping or debris being placed into a storm drain, consider reporting it to the non-emergency line for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (713-221-6000). Small actions can make a big difference.
Dispose of Toxic Materials Properly
Some materials are too hazardous for regular trash disposal. Items such as paint, batteries, pesticides, motor oil, electronics, and other household chemicals contain substances that can severely harm the environment. These materials should never be poured down household drains, storm drains (street drains), or placed in the garbage.
Non incorporated Harris County residents can safely dispose of these items through the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility, which accepts many common hazardous materials.
- Electronics recycling is also available through select retailers such as Best Buy (call ahead to confirm accepted items).
- Expired medications (both prescriptions and over the counter) can often be safely disposed of at designated drop-off locations, including select pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stores.
Using these proper disposal options helps keep harmful chemicals out of our waterways.
Participate in Local Cleanups
Getting involved in community cleanup efforts is a powerful way to protect waterways. Programs across Texas include:
- Adopt-a-Highway – Keeping Texas roadways clean
- Adopt-a-Beach – Protecting Texas beaches
- Don’t Mess With Texas – Community outreach and litter prevention
- Trash Bash – Cleaning up local waterways
Additional statewide and local cleanup opportunities are available through Texas environmental organizations.
Protecting Texas Waterways
Stormwater runoff poses serious challenges to Texas waterways, but each of us can play a role in protecting them. By collecting rainwater, reducing litter, properly disposing of hazardous materials, and participating in cleanup efforts, residents can help preserve the state’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Protecting storm drains isn’t just an environmental responsibility—it’s a commitment to safeguarding the land and waters that make our communities special for generations to come.