2022 Vol 16, Issue 2 April Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 What is “Illicit Discharge”? Illicit discharge, or illegal dumping, is often a hidden offense and may even seem like no big deal – but it is a hazard for humans, the environment, and wildlife. Illicit discharge also hurts public infrastructure by increasing stress, demand, and maintenance costs onto local drainage systems. So, what exactly is it? Illicit discharge is a fancy phrase that boils down to “only rain down the drain.” Storm drains and ditches are designed for stormwater runoff, and there is no treatment facility between the street and the end destination – a lake, stream, or wetland. This means that everyone has the potential to protect water and infrastructure from anywhere in the City of Gem Lake. Examples of illicit discharge include: • Trash, furniture, or construction debris such as drywall mud • Chemicals, paint, or water softener salt • Grass and lawn care clippings • Mop bucket water, carpet cleaning water, or pool water (Visit the Ramsey County Hazardous Waste web-site for more information on proper disposal.) What to look for to be an illicit discharge detective: • Residues, stains, odors, or unusual dam age on street surfaces or around storm drains • Sediment running off of a construction site (this isn’t natural erosion) • Foul smells gathered around outputs (natural algae or oils would be more widespread) • Water flowing in ditches or storm drains when it hasn’t rained • Pipes or hoses directed to storm drains • Piles of debris or trash in ditches, ponds, or wetlands • Catching someone in the act? Kindly educate them by informing them that the drain leads directly to a waterbody. Many times, people just aren’t aware. Steps for reporting an illicit discharge event: 1. Photograph. Document the substance that’s been dumped into a ditch, pond, or water conveyance system with a photo. (such as grass clippings, paint, automotive fluids, construction site run-off, cleaning substances, etc.). If a photo isn’t possible, note the substance or what you expect the substance to be. 2. Think like a detective. Document the specific location with a street, cross street, or directions of the ditch or storm drain in reference to the street/intersection. Note the day and time as well as any vehicle or license plate information. 3. Call the City clerk at 651-747-2790 to report. If you’re not sure if it’s illegal dumping but suspect it, staff will investigate to determine the nature of the problem. Picking Up Pet Waste: A Key to Clean Water We’ve all seen the signs for many years, “Clean Up After Your Pet”. Maybe we’ve even visited a local off- leash dog park and have seen garbage containers literally full of pet waste. One of the first springtime lawn maintenance tasks for dog owners is often to pick up an entire winter’s worth of doggy doo. There’s even at least one professional service company that specializes in pet waste cleanup. But what’s it all about? Obviously, pet waste is messy, and all pet owners have faced the frustrating task of cleaning the soles of our shoes. Yet there’s more to the issue than just a clean lawn that’s safe to walk barefoot without fear of personal misfortune. Pet waste is among the latest topics in the world of water quality. Pet waste carries pathogens, among which is fecal coliform. According to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, uncollected pet waste often gets washed into lakes and other waterways where it decomposes and releases ammonia into the water. Ammonia is harmful to fish and amphibians and promotes weed growth. Other bacteria affect drinking water. If living through a pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of cleanliness. We’ve all probably washed our hands more in the past year than in many recent years combined. Yet what if we are washing our hands in water contaminated with pet waste? Those of us with well water do not have the benefits of water pretreated with chlorine to combat the dangers of bacteria in the water supply. Be sure to properly dispose of your dog waste in the trash can.