Drainage System Maintenance

What is storm water?
The term storm water refers to rainwater. Storm water washes down storm drains on the curbs of roads and leads directly into lakes, rivers, and streams. Unlike wastewater, it is untreated and can carry pollutants, sediments, and trash directly into our natural water resources.

As storm waster runoff travels over the land, it picks up all kinds of chemicals, waste, and trash that are not naturally found in our waterways. Storm water runoff enters the storm drain system through inlets, and discharges untreated into creeks, lakes, and rivers. Some chemicals and other substances in storm water can be toxic, even at small levels, endangering plant and animals that depend on the water to survive. Pollution of our waterways can also mean we cannot boat, swim, or fish because it is unpleasant or even unsafe.

Storm water runoff from properties throughout North Richland Hills flows to one of several branches of the Trinity River, joining this landmark Dallas/Fort Worth river and flowing downstream to Lake Livingston in the Huntsville area, then on to the Gulf of Mexico. As you may be aware, the Trinity River is important not only as a natural resource and thriving ecosystem, but also as a source of drinking water for the City of North Richland Hills and other metroplex communities.

Storm water pollution can be controlled if everyone plays a part in preventing these substances from entering the storm drain inlets in the streets where they live and work. You can help prevent storm water pollution by eliminating illicit discharges; exercising responsible use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers in lawn and landscape maintenance; and proper disposal of used oil and toxic materials.

Please aid us in our effort to keep NRH beautiful and protect our natural resources.

What can we do?
Please do your part to keep inlets and drainage ways clear of brush and debris. Here are steps you can take to protect the quality and control the quantity of water in North Richland Hills creeks:

• Maintain your vehicle so hoses and reservoirs do not leak or break causing fluids to spill onto streets. Don't pour used motor oil, antifreeze, old pesticides or any other pollutants into the storm drainage system.
• Use a mulching mower or bag your grass and leaves instead of blowing the yard waste into the street. Yard waste can clog storm drains.
• Pick up litter around your neighborhood or business place so the trash doesn't collect on drainage inlets or clog storm sewer pipes.
• If you spot a blocked drain or notice illegal dumping, call the Public Works Department at 817-427-6400, and an inspector will investigate. Putting foreign substances into the storm sewer is a violation of City ordinance.