News Releases

Here's a look at the news that's happening in NDOT's Stormwater division.

NDOT, Clark County Water Quality & Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful observe Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month

POST DATE: September 24, 2021

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Transportation’s Stormwater Program, Clark County Water Quality, Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee and the Southern Nevada Water Authority have teamed up to observe Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month in October in order to educate the public about the importance of preserving stormwater quality.

The monthlong event kicks off with the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB)’s Truckee River Cleanup on September 25 in Northern Nevada and runs through the end of October with a poster contest for kids, an educational webinar. The event continues with Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee’s Las Vegas Wash Green-Up event on October 23 in Southern Nevada and concludes on October 29.

Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month encourages communities to make smart choices when it comes to preserving the quality of stormwater in the desert for future generations of Nevadans. Simple actions can make a huge difference and improve Nevada’s stormwater quality. Statewide agencies are partnering to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers, lakes, streams and aquatic wildlife.

Elementary children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade across Nevada are invited to participate in the Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month Poster Contest. The posters will be featured in a 2022 calendar with the first-place poster appearing as the cover art in the calendar, which will be distributed to participating schools across the state. The poster contest will begin October 1 and wrap up on October 15 with first-, second-, and third-place winners announced on October 22. Entries should convey one of these key messages: Why only rain goes down the storm drain; OR easy ways/everyday practices to prevent stormwater pollution. See dot.nv.gov/postercontest for more details.

Here are the key dates for Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month:

• September 25: Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month 2021 kicks off with the KTMB’s Truckee River Cleanup. NDOT will have a booth at the event with information and swag for attendees in Reno & Sparks.
• October 1: Stormwater Pollution Awareness Poster Contest Launch
• October 15: Stormwater Pollution Awareness Poster Contest Final Day
• October 20: Stormwater Pollution Awareness Virtual Lunchtime Webinar
• October 22: Stormwater Pollution Awareness Poster Contest Winners Announced
• October 23: Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee's (LVWCC) Wash Green-Up volunteer planting event from the Las Vegas Wash in Las Vegas. Clark County Water Quality will have a booth at the event with information and swag for participants.

Never dump anything into the storm drain as drains flow straight to Nevada’s rivers and lakes. If you see anyone dumping into a storm drain, call 888-331-6337 immediately to report the illicit discharge.

NDOT encourages Nevadans to use best landscaping practices to protect stormwater runoff

POST DATE: May 25, 2021

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s Environmental Division, which oversees disciplines such as stormwater, air quality, noise, wildlife biology, environmental engineering and cultural resources, encourages Nevada residents to practice best practices for residential landscaping when it comes to pesticide and herbicide use. It’s prime time for spring gardening in Nevada but consider water-smart practices when conducting residential landscaping activities.

“Most people are surprised to learn that homes can be a source of pollution,” said James Murphy, Environmental Division Program Manager with the Nevada Department of Transportation. “The Nevada Department of Transportation encourages Nevada residents to take steps to avoid polluting our waterways, such as avoiding overwatering and applying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers sparingly, with caution, and per product labeling.”

In Nevada, sewer systems and stormwater drains are separate systems. Water that goes down the drain inside a home via toilet or sink goes to a wastewater treatment plant where it’s treated and filtered. Conversely, water that flows down driveways and streets into gutters goes directly into a storm drain that flows untreated into lakes, rivers and streams. Runoff from landscaped areas may contain fertilizers, pesticides or other materials that are harmful to lakes and streams.

Charles Schembre, an environmental scientist with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, said the most important thing residents can do to is to avoid watering the sidewalk. Installing a buffer between the lawn and sidewalk – such as rocks, woody mulch or plants – will prevent runoff onto the sidewalk. This is a critical component in reducing runoff of pollutants into storm drains. 

Never dump anything into the storm drain as it flows straight to Nevada’s rivers and lakes. If you see anyone dumping something into a storm drain, call 888-331-6337 to report an illicit discharge.

GARDENING TIPS TO KEEP POLLUTANTS OUT OF NEVADA’S WATERWAYS

• Utilize soil health practices and use organic fertilizers and pesticides sparingly; make sure to follow product label instructions. Consider planting trees, seeds and plants that are native to Nevada, which require less water.
• Selective herbicide applications target weeds and avoid impacts on desirable plant species. Avoid spraying during conditions where herbicides may drift to non-target plant species (when wind speeds are >15 mph). Use organic mulch or other pest control methods whenever possible.
• Install a buffer between the lawn and sidewalk to prevent irrigation runoff onto the sidewalk.
• Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly.
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on the grass so the water infiltrates into the ground instead of spilling into storm drains.

In the News

"NDOT encourages Nevadans to use best landscaping practices to protect stormwater runoff," CarsonNow.org (May 25, 2021).

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