What is a water shed?
A water shed is a geographical area which drains to a specified point on a water course, usually a confluence of streams or rivers (also known as a drainage area or river basin).
Why is important to protect a water shed?
Protecting water sheds can prevent water quality problems such as: pesticides found in local wells, fish population decline, polluted streams, creeks & rivers, no swimming signs on creeks and rivers, etc.
What are things that should never enter a storm drain?
*Oil, anti-freeze, paint, cleaning fluids
*Wash water from a car wash or personal vehicle
*Industrial discharges
*Contaminated foundation drains
*Wash waters from commercial/industrial activities
*Sanitary sewer discharges
*Washing machine discharges
*Chlorinated backwash and draining associated with swimming pools
What things should enter a storm drain?
*Discharges from emergency fire-fighting vehicles
*Rising ground waters
*Uncontaminated groundwater
*Drinking water line flushing
*Uncontaminated landscaping irrigation/irrigation water/lawn watering
*Uncontaminated springs
*Uncontaminated footing drains and pumps
*Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
*Street wash waters resulting from normal street cleaning operations
*Discharges within the constraints of (and allowed from) a NPDES permit from TDEC
Unlike wastewater, which is treated before it is released back into the environment, stormwater goes directly into a community's streams and lakes. Because stormwater comes in large amounts at unpredictable times, treating it as wastewater would be very expensive. However, there are Best Management Practices (BMP's) which can reduce the impact of stormwater.
Additional links
15 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Water Shed
After The Storm
Cumberland River Compact
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)
TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation)
Tennessee Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control
Tennessee WaterWorks!
University of Tennessee Water Resources
Stormwater Hotline
The stormwater hotline number is (615) 859-2740. This number is for the collection of information concerning water quality concerns.