North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Town Board members remind residents that storm water drains are meant for rainwater and snowmelt only and should not be used as trash receptacles. Storm drains cut into curbs and are meant to remove storm water quickly from streets and surrounding areas. Some of the Town’s storm drains are marked with a stainless steel medallion (see photo) that says “No Dumping. Drains to Bay,” to serve as a reminder that only rain should go down the drain.

“Educating people about storm water drains and how the whole system works is critical,” Supervisor Bosworth said. “If people know that anything poured down or placed into these drains winds up in our beautiful Manhasset Bay or our groundwater, I am confident that they will cooperate and avoid dumping into the drains,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “Items like pet waste, leftover lawn fertilizer, used oil, food scraps, and trash should never be placed in storm drains.”

The Town urges residents to dispose of pet waste in the trash; and lawn fertilizer can be swept up and kept to be applied later. Used oil can often be returned to stores that sell motor oil. Residents can also call the Town’s 311 number to inquire about Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P) events, where hazardous material is collected. The Town will be holding its next S.T.O.P. event on November 8th at North Hempstead Beach north parking lot from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Town of North Hempstead shares this mission with the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee (MBPC), of which the Town is a proud member. The MBPC was formed in the 1990’s with the goal of restoring and protecting Manhasset Bay. Committee membership is open to all local governments located in the watershed of Manhasset Bay. For more information on Manhasset Bay and how you can help protect and preserve it, visit the Committee’s website at www.manhassetbayprotectioncommittee.org.

For more information on the Town’s environmental programs or S.T.O.P. events please call 311 or 516-869-6311.

Some of the Town’s storm drains are marked with a stainless steel medallion like this one to serve as a reminder that only rain should go down the drain.