Harris County MUD No. 71 needs your help in protecting our lakes, bayous, and other water bodies. You may not be aware that the storm drains along the street in front of your home are separate from the sanitary sewer drains that collect wastewater in your home from your sink, toilet, shower, and other appliances. Unlike the sanitary sewer system, the storm sewers transfer rainwater and other substances deposited in the storm drains directly out into the lakes, bayous, and creeks in your community. Because the water usually is not treated, contaminants placed in the storm sewers can travel directly into our waterways, potentially harming local plants and wildlife.
In order to help protect our waterways, please do not place anything into the storm drains. The only thing that should be going into the storm drains is rainwater! Some of the most common contributors to storm water pollution in our area include grass clippings and other yard waste, paint and other household chemicals, and fat, oil, and grease.
For information on ways to minimize storm water pollution when maintaining your yard and tips on disposing of yard waste, please visit: http://www.cleanwaterways.org/downloads/brochures/Grass%20Clippings_ENG.pdf
For information on determining how much paint to purchase, and storing and properly disposing of paint, please visit: http://www.cleanwaterways.org/downloads/brochures/Paint_The%20Household%20Paint%20Planner%20Brochure.pdf
For information on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste, please contact Harris County’s Hazardous Waste Facility at (281) 560-6200 or visit: http://eng.hctx.net/watershed/hhw_facility.html
For information on the proper disposal of household oil, fats, and grease, please visit: http://www.cleanwaterways.org/downloads/brochures/FOG_brochure_English.pdf
For additional information regarding storm water pollution, please visit: http://www.cleanwaterways.org/. You also may report a spill or other unauthorized discharge into a storm drain to the Harris County Pollution Control Services Department at (713) 920-2831.
We appreciate your efforts in helping us keep our waterways clean!