The City of Johnson City has developed and implemented a Public Information and Education (PIE) plan as part of its overall stormwater management program as required by its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) NPDES Phase II permit. The primary objectives of this plan are to reduce or eliminate behaviors and practices that cause or contribute to the impacts of stormwater discharges on water bodies and the steps that the audiences can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable.

WHAT IS STORMWATER RUNOFF?
Storm water runoff is rain and melting snow that flows off building rooftops, driveways, lawns, streets, parking lots, construction sites, and industrial storage yards. Developed areas are covered by buildings and pavement, which do not allow water to soak into the ground. Storm sewers are used to collect large amounts of runoff from streets and parking lots.

WHERE DOES STORMWATER RUNOFF GO?
Unlike sanitary sewers that collect wastewater from homes and businesses and convey it to a wastewater treatment plant, storm sewers are a separate network that collect storm water runoff from inlets, catch basins, drains, or ditches located along street curbs and in parking areas. Everything that enters a storm sewer system is eventually discharged untreated into the lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, or other waterways we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.


WHAT'S IN STORM WATER RUNOFF?
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants Examples of the types of pollutants in stormwater runoff are:

• Garbage
• Oil and grease
• Gasoline
• Sediment from construction sites and urban runoff
• Metal flakes from rusting vehicles and brakes
• Lawn pesticides
• Agricultural herbicides
• Heavy metals from roof shingles
• Pet waste
• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Cleaning Solutions
• Bacteria
• Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen
• Other chemicals

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ENTERING THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM?
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

• Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
• Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
• Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.
• Debris—plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts—washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
• Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
• Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.