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Stormwater Our District serves the Town of Rancho Viejo, a small portion of west Brownsville, and the unincorporated area in between. About thirty percent of the District’s municipal water supply comes from the Rio Grande River and is stored in the Resaca del Rancho Viejo, which courses through the Town of Rancho Viejo. The other two thirds of the District’s water comes from brackish groundwater wells. Because a third of the District's water is stored in the Resaca del Rancho Viejo prior to treatment, it is important to minimize the negative effects of pollution on this water body.
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Pollution enters this water body through its source (the Rio Grande River) and through stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff occurs during rainfall events. The following list some of the more common contaminants that affect the resaca.
Road/Parking Lot Waste-Rain water washes contaminants such as oil, coolant, or residue from tires and brake pads into the stormwater inlets that outfall into the resaca. These contaminants contain heavy metals.
Home Landscaping/Public Grounds Maintenance-Over fertilizing lawns, or fertilizing too close to a rainfall event can result in excess nutrient rich fertilizers entering the resaca. This can result in algae blooms. In addition, pesticides and herbicides can also impact the resaca through a similar manner. These chemicals can be harmful to the native wildlife species that occur in the resaca. The raking of organic material such as leaves and grass clippings into stormwater inlets also adds nutrients to the water body. Finally, poorly maintained garden beds or yards can allow sediment runoff during heavy rain events.
Construction Site Runoff-Sediment is the largest pollutant resulting from construction sites. Chemicals such as paints or oils can also be released from construction sites during rainfall events. For this reason, construction sites are regulated and generally have measures in place to prevent the exit of contaminants from the site.
As stated above, it is very important for everyone to do their part when it comes to maintaining the quality of water in the Resaca del Rancho Viejo. If you see anyone placing any items into storm drains, or recklessly applying fertilizer or other chemicals to close to the water’s edge, or just before anticipated rain, please call the District at 956/350-4136.
> Information on TCEQ Requirement - "The Storm Water Management Plan"
Road/Parking Lot Waste-Rain water washes contaminants such as oil, coolant, or residue from tires and brake pads into the stormwater inlets that outfall into the resaca. These contaminants contain heavy metals.
Home Landscaping/Public Grounds Maintenance-Over fertilizing lawns, or fertilizing too close to a rainfall event can result in excess nutrient rich fertilizers entering the resaca. This can result in algae blooms. In addition, pesticides and herbicides can also impact the resaca through a similar manner. These chemicals can be harmful to the native wildlife species that occur in the resaca. The raking of organic material such as leaves and grass clippings into stormwater inlets also adds nutrients to the water body. Finally, poorly maintained garden beds or yards can allow sediment runoff during heavy rain events.
Construction Site Runoff-Sediment is the largest pollutant resulting from construction sites. Chemicals such as paints or oils can also be released from construction sites during rainfall events. For this reason, construction sites are regulated and generally have measures in place to prevent the exit of contaminants from the site.
As stated above, it is very important for everyone to do their part when it comes to maintaining the quality of water in the Resaca del Rancho Viejo. If you see anyone placing any items into storm drains, or recklessly applying fertilizer or other chemicals to close to the water’s edge, or just before anticipated rain, please call the District at 956/350-4136.
> Information on TCEQ Requirement - "The Storm Water Management Plan"
