Test your Stormwater IQ

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW? FIND OUT BY COMPLETING THE FOLLOWING QUIZ.

Take the Stormwater IQ Quiz

How Much Do You Know? Find Out By Completing The Following Quiz.

1. In Orange County the storm drain system and the sewer system are part of the same underground system.

Correct.

The storm drain system is separate from the sewer system. Stormwater runoff flows untreated, directly to channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

Incorrect.

The storm drain system is separate from the sewer system. Stormwater runoff flows untreated, directly to channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

2. The water and other substances that flow through the storm drain system are tested and filtered to remove wastes before they are discharged from the system.

Correct.

The storm drain system releases untreated water into channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

Incorrect.

The storm drain system releases untreated water into channels, creeks, bays, and ultimately the ocean and beaches.

3. With few exceptions, it is illegal for anyone to throw, dispose of or allow anything other than rainwater into the storm drains.

Correct.

Most discharges to a municipal storm drain that are not composed entirely of stormwater are illegal.

Incorrect.

Most discharges to a municipal storm drain that are not composed entirely of stormwater are illegal.

4. Stormwater pollution can be caused by:

Correct.

Anything we use in our home, car, and business like motor oil, paint, pesticides, fertilizers and cleaners can wind up in the street. A little water from rain or a garden hose can carry automotive and household materials through the storm drain polluting bay, wetlands and the ocean.

Incorrect.

Local Businesses (or "Pets" or "People like you and me") can contribute to, but is not the only source of water pollution.

5. To dispose of toxic or poisonous products, and their containers, you should:

Correct.

For more information contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or www.oc.ca.gov/IWMD.

Incorrect.

Flushing toxics or poisonous products down the toilet or sanitary sewer is not only damaging to the sewer system but illegal. For more information on proper disposal contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or OC Waste and Recycling.

Incorrect.

Disposing of toxic or poisonous products into the storm drain is illegal and harmful to the aquatic environment. For more information on proper disposal contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or www.oc.ca.gov/IWMD.

6.Putting used motor oil in the trash or pouring it down the storm drain:

Correct.

Used motor oil should be recycled. For additional information about the nearest oil recycling centers contact the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) at 1-800-553-2962 or www.ciwmb.ca.gov/usedoil

Incorrect.

Did you know that one pint of motor oil can produce an oil slick of approximately one acre? Used motor oil can be recycled and should NEVER be put in the trash or poured down the storm drain. It is very harmful to our environment.

Incorrect.

7. When you wash your car at home you should:

Correct.

This allows the washwater to filter through vegetation and/or soil instead of flowing directly into a storm drain.

Incorrect.

Since the rinse or washwater contains residues from exhaust fumes, gasoline and motor oils, you should always try to use less toxic alternatives and biodegradable soaps. Additional cleaners should be applied and then wiped off with a rag or towel, not rinsed off

Incorrect.

You should only degrease or clean your engine at authorized facilities equipped to properly process the contaminated washwater.

8. When you use pesticides or fertilizers in your home and garden you should:

Correct.

Pesticides and fertilizers are chemicals that not only kill garden invaders, they can also harm useful insects, poison fish and contaminate ground water and the ocean.

Incorrect.

You should take them to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site for proper disposal. For more information contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or OC Waste and Recycling.

Incorrect.

You should always try to conserve water by not overwatering, which allows pesticide and fertilizer runoff to be washed into storm drains and waterways. You should also not apply pesticides if it is windy or about to rain.

9. When performing home repairs or remodeling work you should:

Correct.

Properly stored materials are protected from rainfall, runoff, and wind, which help keep them out of gutters and storm drains.

Incorrect.

Vehicles and tools should be cleaned in an appropriate area and not in the gutter. Dirt can be rinsed off in a vegetated area and cement can be rinsed off, allowed to dry and disposed of with your household trash

Incorrect.

Latex paint can be cleaned in a kitchen sink and oil-based paint needs to be cleaned and disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site. For more information contact the O.C. Household Hazardous Waste Center Information Hotline at (714) 834-6752 or www.oc.ca.gov/IWMD.

10. When you see a water pollution problem you should:

Correct.

When reporting non-emergency water pollution problems you can either contact the County’s Water Pollution Problem Reporting Hotline at 714-567-6363 or log onto the County’s website at www.ocwatersheds.com and fill out a Reporting an Incident form. When reporting emergency water pollution problems immediately call 911

Please take a few moments to provide us with some basic demographic information.

The information we are collecting is for information purposes only and will be utilized to help us determine where additional Stormwater public education efforts may be focused.

11. Gender:

12. Age Range:

13. What City do you live in: