10 Questions Down the Drain
Everyone knows that when it rains it pours, but most of us don’t know where it all drains to. Of course, you’re not like most of us. Take this fun, fast quiz to test your knowledge on Casper’s stormwater system, then enter for a chance to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards – no matter your score.
Which of the following images represent stormwater? Select all that apply.
You bRAINiac! Stormwater is any water that originates from precipitation, like water and snow. All stormwater eventually goes into our City’s stormwater system and drains into the North Platte River. Hurricane beverages are misleadingly titled.
Which of the following are permeable surfaces? Select all that apply. Hint – permeable surfaces are penetrable and can absorb liquids.
Keep flowing! Permeable surfaces, like grass, open fields and trees, naturally absorb stormwater like rain and melted snow. Like a teenager to parental advice, it’s in one ear and out the other.
Which of the following are impervious surfaces? Select all that apply. Hint – impervious surfaces are impenetrable and cannot absorb liquids.
You stormwater sponge! Impermeable surfaces, like concrete driveways, parking lots, streets and the roof of your house can’t absorb water from rain and snow. Stormwater that lands on these surfaces becomes stormwater runoff. The City of Casper builds and maintains an intricate stormwater pipe system to transport stormwater runoff into the North Platte River. Like a thick skull, it’s not easy to get through impervious surfaces.
Where does all stormwater runoff in Casper end up?
Full steam ahead! All stormwater runoff, or water from rain and snow that isn’t absorbed by nature, goes into the gutter and is channeled into the North Platte River – no matter how hard the wind is blowing.
How does fecal coliform bacteria from dog poop end up in the North Platte River? Select all that apply.
Top dog! When people don’t pick up after their pets, stormwater from rain and snow will transport fecal bacteria all the way into the North Platte. Just 1 gram of dog waste can have more than 23 million different forms of bacteria, which our fish, anglers and kayakers really don’t appreciate.
How many miles of stormwater pipe currently run beneath the Casper area?
Make it rain! Ranging from 6” to 120” in diameter, 150 miles of pipe transports stormwater runoff from impervious services across Natrona County to drain into the North Platte River, which keeps our community from flooding. Though this seems like a lot, a community of this size actually needs quite a bit more.
Which of the following items is the world’s most prolific litter?
From trash to treasure! Approximately 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered each year (they are NOT biodegradable), and many of them in Casper wind up in the North Platte River. Coffee cups, plastic water bottles, food wrappers and grocery bags are other big culprits. Your call on most prolific kitty litter.
Which of the following are benefits of using commercial carwashes rather than washing your car at home? Select all that apply.
Dad would be proud. Commercial carwashes are required to recycle used water, then sent to the wastewater treatment plant, whereas handwashing a car puts soap, chemicals, dirt and other gross stuff into the river. Moreover, handwashing can use twice the amount of water as a carwash and takes an average of 45 minutes compared to 6.
Why doesn’t fertilizer belong in the North Platte River?
You’re doing swimmingly! When fertilizer is used excessively or poured into gutters, it gets into our stormwater system and empties directly into the North Platte River. The nitrates and phosphates in fertilizers overstimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae, which takes much-needed oxygen from our fish, which upsets Walter White probably.
What are the best ways you can help keep Casper’s stormwater system and the North Platte River clean, functioning and safe? Select all that apply.
You are a stormwater hero! All stormwater runoff goes directly into the North Platte River. This stormwater system is separate from our drinking and waste water systems, and all stormwater is emptied into the North Platte without any treatment or filtration. Not to get all Captain Planet on you, but whatever gets into our stormwater gets into our river, and no amount of dish soap will help.
Prize Time
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
Stormwater Tadpole:
You’re great at drinking water and bathing in it, but you’ve just dipped your toe into the world of stormwater. You’re well on your way to fist-bumping responsible pet owners and identifying outfalls to all your friends.
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
Eager Beaver:
Litter makes you sad, and you’ve always felt a strong connection to Splinter, the Ninja Turtle’s Sensei. Your river-responsible behaviors like picking up after your pooch are already impressive, but knowing stormwater system diameters will make you the hit of any get-together.
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
Trophy Catch:
You think in terms of permeable and impervious, and you wish for more cigarette butt containers on public streets every year when you blow out your birthday candles. Now if only the rest of life flowed as smoothly as a sophisticated drainage system...
