Mayor Brennan Encourages Pollution Reduction Efforts

If you look outside your home in the streets around Lindenhurst and our surrounding communities, you will probably notice some type of drainage basin.  During a rainstorm, have you ever wondered where our stormwater goes?

A common misconception about drainage basin(s) is that they go to a wastewater treatment plant.  In our community that is not the case.  Along the south shore of Long Island most of the stormwater flows into our streams, creeks and canals that empty into the Great South Bay.

The problem is stormwater that flows into our positive drainage system contains pollutants found on streets and in parking lots such as oil, antifreeze, gasoline, litter, pet wastes, fertilizer, pesticides, leaves, grass clippings, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.  When these materials enter our canals and the Great South Bay, they pollute the water and can destroy fish and wildlife habitats, cause beach closings and restrict shellfish harvesting.

Mayor Thomas Brennan of the Village of Lindenhurst says, “All residents can help reduce pollutants entering our streams, canals and the Great South Bay by:  

·        Do not accumulate soil, leaves or grass clippings on your driveway, sidewalk or street.  During the next rain, these materials will wash into the nearest storm drain.  Instead, try to compost them.

·        Do not dump automobile fluids, paints, pesticides or other materials down the storm drains.

·        Sweep (do not wash) soil, leaves, fertilizer and grass clippings off paved areas.

·        Dispose of pet wastes properly.”

 Lindenhurst Village Deputy Administrator, Douglas Madlon, added “Every person who lives in Lindenhurst and our surrounding communities should be their own keeper of the Great South Bay, canals and natural streams that traverse our Village.  We need everyone to help prevent or at least minimize pollutants entering our waterways.”