Back The Bayou | Stormwater Stewards

Importance of Clean Water

Clean water is important to the life on the bayou that we all love. Help us back the bayou, it will take us working as a community to make it happen. In recent years sources of water pollution like industrial wastes from factories have been greatly reduced.

Now, more than 60% of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers from lawns and gardens, and failing septic tanks. All these sources add up to a big pollution problem. But each of us can do small things to help clean up our water too—and that adds up to a pollution solution!

Volunteers Needed For Storm Drain Stewards Project Saturday, October 15th

May 3, 2022 – Dickinson, TX - The City of Dickinson is partnering with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to offer a free storm drain steward workshop and volunteer project Saturday, October 15th, at City Hall from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.

The purpose of the workshop and project is to educate residents about how the small actions we take every day can significantly impact our bayous. This will allow residents to learn how they are connected to the water near their homes and how they can be good stewards of Dickinson Bayou.

“Dickinson Bayou is a big part of what makes the city special," said Chariss York, resident and Program Director for Green Infrastructure and Stormwater over Texas Community Watershed Partners with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. "As residents, it’s important that we recognize the value of the Bayou and try to take steps in our own lives to protect it.

Participants will spend the first hour of the program in a workshop held in Council Chambers. They will view a presentation made by local experts that focuses on water quality and pollution concerns and things they can do at home to help keep our bayou fishable and swimmable.

Once they've learned about the impact residents can have on water quality, they will put that knowledge into action by going out in the community and placing markers on the storm drains. The markers are eye-catching placards that will stay affixed to the storm drains for up to 10 years and are a bright reminder that anything placed down the storm drain goes "straight to waterways.”

"Educating our citizens about the small things they can do to protect our waterways is critical," said City Manager Theo Melancon. "This workshop is just the first step in a robust public outreach regarding stormwater, and we look forward to working with the community to improve our greatest asset, Dickinson Bayou."

WANT TO JOIN IN THE FUN?

This opportunity will be held on October 15th in Council Chambers at City Hall at 4403 Hwy 3, Dickinson, TX 77539. The workshop will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Residents will then be given the materials to mark the storm drains and a map of locations and sent out into the community. You can register to participate by filling out the form below:

Storm Drain Stewards Workshop

Storm Drains Lead Straight To The Ocean

Did you know that 1 quart of used motor oil dumped into a storm drain can pollute 250,000 gallons of ocean water? That means that an act that takes you 2 seconds can pollute enough ocean water to fill up 5,000 bathtubs. Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect our Bayou:

Everything that runs off into the storm drains on the street will end up in the ocean.

This means soaps, fertilizers, oil from a leak on your driveway, pet waste that is not picked up before a good rain, trash - all of it has the potential to end up in the storm drains.

Use drip pans when changing your oil, use biodegradable soap when washing the car, compost yard trimmings, use fertilizers with care and only use the amount the yard needs, pick up pet waste daily and just be mindful!

While industry surrounds us, the majority of water pollution comes from small sources — especially at the household level. So this summer, keep the bayou in mind while you’re outdoors enjoying the weather!