Ever wonder how trash ends up in streams and rivers in Fairfax County? Or where all the rain water ends up after it runs off the street and into the storm drains?
“Floatables” are trash, litter and other
human-generated debris that is dropped, blown or even illegally dumped in
watershed drainage areas. When
it rains, floatable materials are transported by stormwater runoff to
nearby storm drains, streams, rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
Floatables contribute to visual pollution, detract from the pleasure of
outdoor experiences and pose a threat to wildlife and human health. Some
examples of floatables include:
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Metal beverage and food cans
- Household garbage and pet waste bags
- Glass bottles
- Plastic grocery bags
- Cigarette butts
- Paper and polystyrene foam (such as Styrofoam®) products
- Yard waste
The Fairfax County Floatables Monitoring Program educates the public about floatables and stormwater, encourages county residents to volunteer to remove floatable debris from county streams and encourages voluntary reporting of cleanup events using the floatables data form. The county relies on individuals and community groups participating in such activities as Adopt-A-Stream and group-sponsored stream cleanup activities to help keep county waterways clean. Without cleanup activities, waterways would be choked with floatables, habitats would be lost and outdoor recreational activities would be less appealing and pleasant.
In addition, the Fairfax County Police Department and the Clean Fairfax Council are sponsoring the "Report a Litterer" program. People can report those who throw litter from their vehicles to the Council. The Council will forward the information to the police, who will send an advisory letter to the vehicle's owner. Contact the Clean Fairfax Council (703-324-3106, TTY 711) for further information.
Pollution from Stormwater
Pollution from stormwater occurs when runoff from precipitation (rain, sleet, hail, melting snow or ice) gathers floatable trash, sediments and chemicals or toxins from roads, parking lots and other impervious (solid) surfaces. This mixture of untreated water and floatable materials travels through the storm drainage system and ends up in county waterways. Pollution also occurs when substances are dumped or illegally discharged into storm drains or when household hazardous wastes are disposed of improperly.
What are some of the effects of stormwater pollution?
Floatables and other pollutants adversely affect the water quality and
overall environmental quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal
waters. Litter and other pollutants are not just ugly; over time,
pollutants degrade biological habitats and can harm aquatic life. In
addition, pollutants can affect drinking water supplies and recreational
activities both locally and downstream.
Additional information on the causes, effects and prevention of these types of water pollution is available in the Floatables: Causes and Effects diagram (PDF). You will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view the document.
How can I participate in stream cleanup activities?
Residents can join an organization or group that sponsors stream cleanups in Fairfax County. One way to get involved is through Adopt-A-Stream, a program coordinated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Residents or groups adopt a quarter-mile section of a county stream and commit to removing the trash from in and around their stream sections at least once a year. After two consecutive clean-up events, the group will be supplied with an Adopt-A-Stream sign to post. By adopting a stretch of stream, interested volunteers can reduce the litter in the stream while learning about the role these streams have in the watershed.
There are numerous regional, state, county and neighborhood groups that organize cleanup events that are open to the public. For further information about these groups or about volunteering for additional activities that promote the quality of our streams, please contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or by e-mail.
How can I help Fairfax County track and support stream cleanups?
Fairfax County asks cleanup organizers to report cleanup information to help the county identify potential hotspots for floatables and to assess the effectiveness of volunteer cleanup activities. The county provides a floatables data form (PDF) that is simple to use. This form requests information such as the name of the group or organization, the name and location of the stream cleaned and the amounts and kinds of trash collected. The form should be filled out and submitted to the county promptly after events. You will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view, fill out and print the form.
How do I complete the floatables data form?
- Complete one form per cleanup event.
- Provide the following information as requested on the form:
- Registration with Program: Identify if your group is registered with programs such as Adopt-A-Stream or Adopt-A-Highway. Provide the year your group was registered
- Cleanups Per Year: How many cleanup events your group conducted
- Number of Streams Adopted: How many streams, or stream lengths, your group has registered with Adopt-A-Stream
- Visible Source(s) of Pollution: If your group finds evidence of potential sources of pollution (such as an illegal dump site, a hangout or a shopping or business center) note the kind of pollution and location(s). Attach and send a map if possible.
- Report data as specifically as possible and use empty spaces to provide additional detail:
- Total Trash: A total or full count of everything collected
- General Trash: Any trash that can be placed in a large trash bag and the total number of bags
- Mixed Recyclables: Cans, bottles and containers that can be recycled and the total number of bags. Indicate how many bags were sent to recycling center
- Bulk Items: Items not easily contained in bags (car parts, appliances, bulk wood) and the total number of pounds
- Tires: any size tire, with or without rims and total number of tires
- Plastic Bags: Grocery-type bags and the total number of bags
- Most Unusual Item Found During Cleanup: List the most interesting items
The floatables data form (PDF) can be printed and filled out by hand or filled out on your computer using Adobe Reader, then printed. Printed forms may be faxed to the Stormwater Planning Division, attention of “Floatables Monitoring Program,” at 703-802-5955 or mailed to:
Floatables Monitoring Program
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
Stormwater Planning Division
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 449
Fairfax, VA 22035-0052
If you have software that will allow you to save the PDF once you have filled it out, the form can be sent to the Stormwater Planning Division using the e-mail address included on the form. Please be sure to put “Floatables Monitoring Program” in the subject line.
Where can I find additional information about floatables and pollution?
Fairfax County Recycling and
Trash
Fairfax County Stormwater
Management
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation
District
Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation