How does over irrigation impact water quality?

Besides wasting money, irrigation water that runs off your lawn can cause erosion and carry soil, trash, pet waste and excess fertilizers and pesticides from your lawn into the storm drains and ocean. In addition, it can pick up other pollutants it may encounter on its path to the storm drain system (i.e. trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment). Trash and decaying plant material can result in harmful bacteria at our beaches. Pesticides can damage important ecosystems and cause health threats. Fertilizers can contribute to excessive plant and algae growth, and dead and/or dying plant material in the water can take the oxygen out of the water and suffocate all other life in the water.

Show All Answers

1. What is a watershed?
2. What is storm water and urban runoff?
3. How does over irrigation impact water quality?
4. What causes beach closure signs to be posted?
5. Can I hose down my sidewalks and driveways?
6. Can I wash my car at home?
7. Can I drain my swimming pool/spa water?
8. What do I do with oil and other automobile fluids?
9. Do I need to worry about small home improvement projects?
10. What else I can do to help water quality?