Improving Surface Water Quality on Campus
The picture above displays some examples of point source and nonpoint source pollution which impact our surface waters.
The water we use today will be re-used tomorrow. The quality of the water is impacted by the quality of the water when it enters the surface waters. Two sources of storm water pollution are point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution comes from a specific location such as ka factory or water treatment plant. Nonpoint source pollution comes from many different locations and is hard to identify a specific source. Many times nonpoint pollution occurs after it rains. Storm water runoff picks up pollutants such as sediment, debris, chemicals, and organic matter. All of these pollutants are deposited into the surface water with no prior treatment. The objective is to treat point source water before it enters the surface waters, or to control the amount of pollutants we leave on and in the ground subject to non-point runoff.
The University of Michigan has the potential to be a contributing factor in nonpoint source runoff from the large land area and multiple buildings. However, through combined efforts of everyone on campus, the University is able to maintain the quality of surface waters. The primary units involved are Athletics, Facility Planning and Design (FP&D), Grounds and Waste Management (G&WM), Plant Operations, and Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH). But remember, every member of the community is responsible for protecting the environment!
| Activity | Why | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep streets and parking lots on North, South, and Central Campus | Sweeping the streets prevents sediment and debris from entering storm water drains | G&WM |
| Collect leaves from October to November | Collecting leaves prevents them from entering storm water drains | G&WM |
| Clean storm water drains | Cleaning storm water drains prevents sediment and debris from entering the surface waters | Plant Operations |
| Research alternate products for traction in ice and snow | To reduce the amount of sand being washed to surface waters | G&WM |
G&WM sweeps University streets, parking lots, and parking structures on a routine basis. All of North Campus is swept, while only the streets owned by the University on Central and South Campus are swept. G&WM and other campus units are researching alternate ways to provide traction in the snow to reduce the amount of sand used. G&WM collects leaves from October to November for composting and talks to students on the proper ways to dispose household wastes and litter, including managing a recycling program.
Even after G&WM sweeps the streets and collect the leaves, there is still some sediment and debris that enter the storm water drains. To prevent the sediment and debris from entering the surface waters, Plant Operations uses a contractor to vacuum the storm water catch basins and jet rod the storm water lines. Plant Operations also flushes and cleans the storm water system two times a year. If the storm water system needs any repair, Plant Operations takes care of it.
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Street sweeping on the University Campus reduces the amount of sediment and debris carried to the surface waters via storm water run off. |
| Activity | Why | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain wetlands | Wetlands slow down and store storm water runoff and filter out pollutants | G&WM |
| Evaluate and supervise routine maintenance and construction | Supervising maintenance and construction activities ensure that the proper soil erosion and storm water runoff controls are being followed | FP&D Plant Operations |
G&WM maintains the storm water retention facilities on campus. Four facilities are the University of Michigan Medical Center retention basin, the Moore Music Building retention basin, the University Golf Course retention pond, and the Tennis Facility retention pond. Maintenance includes cleaning the area around the retention ponds and inspecting the retention pond for needed maintenance. When G&WM inspects the retention ponds they are looking for:
- Slope erosion
- Debris or trash
- Bare spots in vegetation
- Sediment that has accumulated
- Acceptable aquatic environment
- Trees, brush, roots, or animal burrows
- Mosquito breeding habitat or algae growth
- Acceptable outlet conditions downstream of facility
- Working mechanical components such as fence gates
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Soil erosion and storm water runoff occurs during routine maintenance and construction activities. To reduce the amount of soil erosion and storm water runoff FP&D and Plant Operations:
- Evaluate the site to determine the location of the nearest storm water drainage system.
- Determine if soil will be excavated or disturbed during the maintenance activity.
- Place the soil pile away from the drainage system to minimize sediment transport.
- Use silt screening material to control incidental release of sediment to the storm water system during the maintenance activity.
- Cover soil piles with water repellent material to prevent erosion during a rainstorm.
- Install erosion control damns--sandbags or straw bails--to prevent the transport of sediment to the storm water system.
- Remove any unused soil from the site as soon as maintenance activity is completed.
- Contact G&WM to grade and re-vegetate the work area, if applicable.
- Remove all erosion and sediment control devices from the site once the work is completed.
- Evaluate the need to have the catch basin system cleaned, if sediment entered the system during the work and initiate the appropriate actions.
- Evaluate the need to have the street or surface parking area cleaned following completion of the work and initiate the appropriate actions.
- Report any sediment releases into the storm water system to OSEH once the work is completed.
FP&D also ensures contractors follow proper sediment control activities at construction sites. Specifications for erosion control are written into bid packages and construction sites are inspected for proper control measures.
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 Covering dirt piles with plastic and installing silt fencing helps to reduce storm water pollution. These two measures help to keep the dirt stationary during and after a rainfall. |
| Activity | Why | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Apply slow release fertilizer on the grass | Using a slow release fertilizer reduces the amount of product entering the surface waters | Athletics G&WM |
| Apply a broad leaf herbicide two times a year | Using a broad leaf herbicide reduces the number of applications needed thus reducing the amount of product entering the surface waters | Athletics G&WM |
| Research alternate landscaping techniques | To reduce the amount of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides used | G&WM |
| Dispose of oil generated by University students | Collecting used oil ensures the oil is disposed properly | G&WM |
| Collect hazardous materials generated by University students, staff, and faculty | Ensures that the wastes are disposed properly | OSEH |
| Educate students on proper disposal of household wastes and recycling | To reduce the amount of waste going to the landfills | G&WM OSEH |
| Evaluate and help develop waste reduction management programs | Waste management programs helps to reduce the amount of hazardous wastes generated | OSEH |
| Research alternate de-icers | Alternate de-icers will help reduce the amount of salt used during the winter. Salt damages buildings, vegetation, ground and surface water, and infrastructures | Building Services DPS General Counsel G&WM OSEH Risk Management SNRE |
Trained and licensed employees of G&WM and Athletics implement Best Management Practices (BMP) to reduce the amount of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides used. BMPs use a combination of techniques to reduce the quantity of chemicals. A slow release fertilizer is applied as well as a broad leaf herbicide two times a year. Slow release fertilizers and a broad leaf herbicide do not have to be applied as often as other fertilizers and herbicides. Also, these products do not wash away as easily, which reduces the number of times they need to be applied.
The quality of the river water is impacted by the quality of the runoff when it enters the surface waters. Essentially, what goes around comes around. Through teamwork, education, and a conscious effort from the University faculty, staff, and students, we can ensure that our Michigan waters will remain Blue.