The City of Fairfax’s Office of Environment and Sustainability received a $1,000 green grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful to provide hands-on education about the sources and effects of water pollution.

This grant will fund the city’s purchase of an Enviroscape 3D interactive hazard prevention and cleanup model (photo, right)a hands-on interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution.

This portable tabletop model will demonstrate how stormwater runoff transports pollutants through the watershed to a pond, lake, river, bay or ocean – and the best management practices to prevent this type of pollution.

“A lot of people don’t understand the impact of litter pollution and why stormwater management is so important,” said Stefanie Kupka, Fairfax City’s sustainability coordinator. “This model will help us show residents what stormwater is and why it is crucial that we manage it to protect the city and our environment.”

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or snowmelt does not penetrate the ground, but instead flows over land, impervious surfaces and streets, which can cause flooding, erosion and other drainage problems.

Additionally, runoff water also collects and transports pollutants such as grease, oil, pet waste, fertilizers, and metals to the storm water drainage system. The city’s drainage system, which does not deal with runoff, leads directly to local waterways, including Accotink Creek, and ultimately to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

Click here to visit the city’s stormwater information page.

The mission of Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to enhance our natural and scenic environment. Keep Virginia Beautiful believes in a shared responsibility to end waste, improve recycling and beautify communities.