Storm Water Information
- Storm Water Outfall Map 2023
- Storm Water Management Plan
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
- Storm Water Ordinance #2346
Easy Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Our Water
A Guide to Healthy Habits for Cleaner Water
Pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains then directly to our drinking water supplies, the ocean and lakes. Fertilizer, oil, pesticides, detergents, pet waste, grass clippings and more ends up in our water.
Storm water pollution is one of New Jersey’s greatest threats to clean and plentiful water. By sharing the responsibility and making small, easy changes in our daily lives, we can keep common pollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to cleaner water and it saves the high costs of clean-up once it becomes polluted.
As part of New Jersey’s initiative to keep our water clean and plentiful and to meet federal requirements, many municipalities and other public agencies including colleges and military bases must adopt ordinances or other rules prohibiting various activities that contribute to stormwater pollution. Violations of these rules can result in fines or other penalties.
In order to comply with these requirements the Township of Ocean has enacted ordinances to enforce the following;
Properly use and dispose of hazardous products. Hazardous products include some household or commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze and paints. Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm drain because storm drains are usually connected to local water bodies and the water is not treated. If you have hazardous products in your home or workplace, make sure you store and dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance. Use natural or less toxic alternatives when possible. Recycle used motor oil. Contact the Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 732-683-8686 for proper disposal.
Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides. Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is predicted. Look into alternatives for pesticides. Maintain your lawn and plant trees and other native vegetation that requires little or no fertilizer. If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label on how to correctly apply it.
Don’t litter. Place trash in receptacles; recycle; recycle, recycle; participate in community clean-ups.
Don’t feed wildlife. Do not feed wildlife, such as ducks or geese in public areas.
Keep pollution out of storm drains. The Township has labeled and marked all storm drain outlets. Labels remind residents that these storm drains are connected to local water ways. Do not let sewerage or other wastes flow into a stormwater system.
Clean up after your pet. Pet owners or their keepers must pick up and properly dispose of pet waste dropped on public lands or other people’s property.
It’s the law so remember to:
- Use newspaper, bags or pooper-scoopers to pick up wastes;
- Dispose of the wrapped (double bag it) pet waste in the trash or unwrapped in a toilet;
- Never discard pet waste in a storm drain;
Dispose of yard waste properly: Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains. The Township has developed guidelines and rules for leaf and brush collection, schedules are published twice a year and can be found in the Leaf and Brush collection sections of this website. Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for compost; use a mulching lawn mower.
Contact Information: Additional storm water-related topics can be found at: www.cleanwaternj.org and www.njcleanwater.org; at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website: http://www.epa.gov and NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Quality Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program 609-633-7021.
Stormwater Ordinances: