Environmental Services
Reporting Stream Pollution
What should you do if you see a strange material in a stream, or if you see someone dumping paint or other hazardous chemicals down a storm sewer? |
To report stream pollution: Active or on-going spills or dumpings of any kind should be reported to the Arlington County Emergency Communications (ECC) at 703-558-2222. An engine company and/or a Hazardous Materials Team will be sent to investigate immediately.
Federal, state, and local regulations prohibit the discharge of any substance other than stormwater into the storm sewer system or state waters. In accordance with Arlington County Code Section 26-5 “it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge directly or indirectly into the storm sewer system or state waters, any substance likely, in the opinion of the County Manager, to have an adverse effect on the storm sewer system or state waters.” In addition, the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, issued by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, prohibits the discharge of pollution to the storm sewer system.
Types of Stream Pollution The following list summarizes the appearance of some types of stream pollution and the likely source.
Color Description Bright Green Uranine dye is an additive in antifreeze and is also used by some public utilities to conduct dye tests of swimming pools and sewerage systems. Green Fibrous, slime layers with visible air bubbles may indicate an algae bloom brought on by excess nutrients. These blooms are seasonal and maybe temporary in streams. They have been associated with fish kills, as the algae consumes much of the oxygen in the water as it decomposes. The most frequent cause is improper fertilizer use and/or application. Blue/Teal Blue or teal color along with strong chemical / sewage odor and fecal solids could be indicative of wastewater from portable lavatories (port-a-johns). The blue color comes from the disinfectant used in portable toilets. Please report to 703-558-2222 immediately. Yellow May form suds or film on stagnant water in spring or early summer due to pollen from flowering trees or evergreens. Red-orange Filmy deposits on the surface or banks of a stream are often associated with greasy "rainbow" appearance of iron bacteria. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon where there is iron in the groundwater. However, a sudden or unusual occurrence may indicate a petroleum product release from an underground fuel storage tank. One way to differentiate iron-oxidizing bacteria from oil releases is to trail a small stick or leaf through the film. If the film breaks up into small islands or clusters, it is most likely bacteria. If the film swirls together, it is most likely a petroleum discharge. If you believe it is a petroleum discharge, please report the discharge according to the instructions above. White/Cloudy If there are no identifiable solids or odor, it is likely run off from cement cutting or washing activities associated with roadway construction or dumping/washing of painting materials. White/Sudsy Usually associated with residential or commercial car washing, or other detergent discharge. Most car washes recycle their wash water and have discharge permits with established limits. All laundry waste should be discharged into the public sewer system or a septic system. White/MilkyGrey/Black or Strong odor or solids observed indicate possible sewage overflow. Sewer mains and manholes follow stream valleys to treatment plants and may leak or overflow during storm events or when lines break. Please report to 703-558-2222 immediately. Brown Muddy brown water often results from runoff from construction sites or water main breaks. Yellow Brown Greasy material that clumps together is likely to be Number 2 fuel oil. Please report to the 703-558-2222 immediately. An engine company and/or a Hazardous Materials Team will be sent to investigate. Rainbow Sheen Rainbow colored films can result from iron-oxidizing bacteria on the water's surface or from oil discharges to the stream, possibly from run off from roads or parking lots. One way to differentiate iron-oxidizing bacteria from oil releases is to trail a small stick or leaf through the film. If the film breaks up into small islands or clusters, it is most likely bacteria. If the film swirls together, it is most likely a petroleum discharge. If you believe it is a petroleum discharge, please report the discharge according to the instructions above.
