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Stormwater Management Program
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Don’t Mess With Mercury
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Why is mercury a problem?
When
mercury seeps into lakes and waterways, it undergoes a natural chemical
process and is converted to a more deadly form - methyl mercury.
Local water ways are susceptible to contamination
by mercury-an element used in many household items, which is also a potent
human nerve toxin. When disposed of improperly, it contaminates the
food chain by building up in the tissue of fish and animals including those
we eat. Because of toxic chemicals sometimes found in fish, the Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issues a Fish Consumption Advisory
for fish consumed out of the San Francisco Bay and Delta.
Humans are at risk when they consume fish and
wildlife from areas impacted by mercury or when they breathe vapors from
liquid mercury.
What is elemental mercury?
Elemental, or metallic, mercury is the shiny, silver-gray metal found in
thermometers, barometers, thermostats and other electrical switches. Mercury
can break into droplets when spilled, spread easily, and can build up in
tiny cracks and spaces wherever it is spilled.
Ways you can help!
Important Mercury Facts
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UPDATE:
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As of February 9, 2006, state law mandates that you can no longer
legally dispose of the following items in the garbage:
- All fluorescent lamps and tubes
- All batteries
- All electronic devices (computers, TVs and others)
- All thermostats containing mercury
Proper disposal of these items will help protect and preserve our
environment now and for generations to come.
For more information, please visit
www.zerowaste.ca.gov |
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Mercury
is also known as quicksilver because of its silvery color, and reflective
metallic nature.
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Elemental
mercury is a liquid at room temperature.
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It is the
“invisible” vapors of mercury that are the true hazard.
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Just
playing with mercury one time can contaminate the body, clothes, and
property to the point they cannot be decontaminated. One drop of mercury can
impair an entire lake.
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High
levels of Mercury poisoning in children can affect their health forever.
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A
teaspoon of mercury not cleaned up properly can contaminate a house so that
it is no longer inhabitable. Vacuuming or sweeping a mercury spill can
create approximately 10 times more hazardous mercury vapors than cleaning it
properly.
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Once
mercury hits the ground it breaks up into microscopic beads that you may not
even see.
For more information visit:
http://www.dontmesswithmercury.org/
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Storm Water
What is Storm Water?
The water that flows over our streets and into our storm drains from rainstorms,
garden hoses, sprinklers or other water sources is called STORMWATER. This
water NEVER goes to a wastewater treatment plant to be cleaned. It flows
directly into our local waterways, carrying with it pollutants such as used
motor oil, antifreeze, paints, fertilizers, pet waste, water from washing our
cars, and pesticides.
To Report Illegal Dumping, Call (866) 755-4955
For more information regarding Stormwater Pollution Prevention,
call (209) 468-3073
What's New
Stormwater Community Outreach
Stormwater pollution is now considered the most significant
source of water pollution in our Country. Past water pollution control
efforts were directed at industrial sources and good progress has been made.
Now, non-industrial activities impact water quality more than industrial
operations.
In compliance with State and Federal requirements, San Joaquin
County has developed a Stormwater Management Program committed to protecting our
rivers and the Delta by involving and educating our residents in stormwater
pollution prevention, regulating stormwater runoff from construction sites,
investigating non-stormwater discharges, and reducing non-stormwater run-off
from municipal operations. You can access San Joaquin County's Stormwater
Management Plan (PDF file) by clicking the link in the left navigation bar.
Click a link below
to obtain additional Stormwater Division Information
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
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To
Reach Your Local Stormwater Management Program
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To
Report Illegal Dumping into Storm Drains
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To
Learn How to Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Wastes:
LATHROP - (209) 941-7430
After hours or weekends - (209) 992-0028
LODI - (209) 368-5735
MANTECA - (209) 239-8460
After hours or weekends (209) 239-8410
RIPON - (209) 599-2108
After hours or weekends (209) 599-2102
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY - (866) 755-4955
After hours or weekends (209) 468-4401
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (209) 468-3066
(800) 449-4840 OR 1-800-CLEAN-UP
STOCKTON - (209) 937-8791
After hours or weekends (209) 937-8341
TRACY - (209) 831-4420
After hours or weekends (209) 831-4550
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