The City of Bellingham is responsible to ensure that all of the waterways within the city are clean and in accordance with the Clean Water Act. With the vast amount of waterways in Bellingham, including streams, wetlands, and lakes/ponds, chances are your home or business is located by a waterway. It is important that as residents of Bellingham we do our best to preserve and improve the quality of water in our local systems.
The first step in moss control is prevention. Moss grows in moist areas on your roof. Keep your roof and gutters free of any debris and leaves that can hold moisture. Prune overhanging branches that provide too much shade to the roof.
If you do use chemical cleaners, use the minimum recommended concentration and redirect roof cleaning water to the sanitary sewer or vegetated areas where they have time to infiltrate and be broken down in the soil. Do not reconnect the downspouts until the chemical residue cannot be seen on the roof any longer, or after about three rain events. Treat your roof in dry weather so that the treatment has time to soak into the roof. Remember that these chemicals will only kill the moss, not remove it, so you will have to remove the moss from your roof anyway to prevent damage. It may be just as easy to remove the moss without using a chemical treatment.
Never pour vehicle waste including oil or antifreeze into storm drains, septic systems or onto the ground. If you change your own oil, get a reusable used oil container. Drain the oil carefully into the container, avoiding splatter and spills. Seal the container securely and take it to your nearest used oil collection site.
Fix oil leaks right away or use drip pans to prevent the oil from reaching our streams or wetlands. Stormwater runoff containing just one pint of oil can make a slick larger than a football field.
Know where you will store and dispose of materials before beginning a do-it-yourself project. Call the Recycling Hotline at 360-676-5723 for more information.
Carpool with a friend, take the bus, walk or bike to work at least once a week.
For tips and information on washing your car, visit our Urban Stream Education section.
Avoid use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides (phosphorus-containing fertilizers are prohibited within the Lake Whatcom watershed). If fertilizing is necessary outside of the watershed, use organic fertilizers made from biodegradable materials.
Mow periodically. Higher grass absorbs more water, reducing runoff. Place wood chips or mulch over soil to reduce erosion. Use a barrier such as bricks or wood to contain soil in the garden.
Dispose of animal waste properly. Waste left near streets and sidewalks will migrate to the stormwater system, affecting water bodies. Sweep lawn trimmings away from the street and sidewalk.
Water carefully. Avoid runoff during watering. Let grass go dormant during the dry season. Use rain barrels (PDF) for watering lawns and gardens when possible. Plant native plants to reduce the need for water. This is just one of many water conservation methods you can practice in and around your home.
When you pressure wash, pollutants and suspended solids can enter the storm drains or ditches in Bellingham that lead to our streams and bay. Discharging water from pressure washing into the city storm system is a water quality violation. To keep our waterways healthy, consider that soap may not be necessary for a thorough cleaning; often water pressure is enough to remove dirt and grime. If you must use a cleaner, try making a less toxic version like the following:
Direct wastewater from pressure washing to vegetated areas were the water will have time to infiltrate instead of running into a storm drain or ditch. Use a sump pump to redirect wastewater from the storm system into the sanitary sewer or use a wet vacuum to catch wastewater before it reaches the storm system.
Before pressure washing, sweep up litter and debris to keep it from getting into the storm system.
When pressure washing roofs with chemicals for moss removal, make sure the chemicals do not enter the storm system. Redirect downspouts to vegetated areas or temporarily block the downspouts entirely and collect the water for proper disposal in the sanitary sewer. Reconnect your downspouts when you are finished washing.
Make a plan to keep pollutants, such as paint (that may include lead), chemical cleaners and petroleum products, out of the storm system. Store and dispose of them properly when you are finished washing.
More Information:
Buy only the amount of paint you will need for your project. Use any extra paint. Give a wall a second coat or use as a base coat for another project.
Never wash out paint brushes or equipment over storm drains, open ditches or streets. Runoff water from cleaning paint equipment into the City storm system is a water quality violation.
Dispose of oil-based paints, and paint products, at the Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics (DoT). Dispose of latex based paint in your regular trash, or call the Recycling Hotline for more options, (360) 676-5723.
Perform washouts in properly designated areas only. Locate washout area at least 50 feet from any storm drains, open ditches, or water bodies. Prevent runoff from this area by constructing a temporary pit or bermed area large enough for liquid and solid waste. Wash out wastes into the temporary pit where the concrete can set, be broken up and then disposed of properly.
Exposed aggregate concrete washouts must be collected and disposed of properly like all other concrete products. Train employees and subcontractors to dispose of concrete properly. Store dry and wet material under cover away from drainage areas. Do not allow excess concrete to be dumped on site, except in designated areas.
