Storm drains are for rainwater only
Unlike the water that goes down your drain to the sewer, water that flows into storm drains is not treated and filtered before it flows into Oklahoma City’s rivers and streams. It’s important that you never put anything into them and prevent fertilizer, car wash soap and pesticides from flowing into storm drains.

Apply the proper amount of fertilizer to your lawn
Local studies indicate that many Oklahoma City residents over-apply fertilizer, mainly the nutrient phosphorus. Over-fertilization is not only bad for your lawn but can lead to a run-off of chemicals that flow down storm drains and into the City’s creeks and rivers. Try purchasing lawn fertilizers with 20 percent or less nitrogen content or buy organic products with slow-releasing fertilizer pellets. And always follow the application instructions on the bag. Your unused fertilizer can be disposed of at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Use a car wash
When vehicles are washed in the driveway, soap and car sludge often flow into City storm drains and into our creeks, rivers and streams. These chemicals pollute our waterways and can harm aquatic life. Not only do car washes use less water than if you were washing your car at home, but many car washes recycle water.

Drain your pool into a sanitary sewer line
Before you empty your swimming pool’s chlorinated water down your storm drain, think about the consequences. Not only is it bad for the environment, its also illegal. If your pool isn’t connected to a sanitary sewer line for draining, the water must be de-chlorinated before releasing it into a storm drain.

Participate in our Curbs to Creeks program
Curbs to Creeks is a volunteer project to mark storm drains in Oklahoma City with curb markers that remind people not to dump anything into the drain. If you would like to help keep City water clean and healthy, call the Curbs to Creeks project coordinator at 297-1774. You’ll receive a free kit that contains curb markers, gloves and instructions on how to mark storm drains.