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Storm Water Education
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Storm Water Education
The Stark County Regional Planning Commission is responsible for storm water education throughout the county on behalf of the Board of Stark County Commissioners. Only 1% of our water is usable drinkable water and we are polluting and contaminating it through various practices at home.
We offer adult presentations at no charge that will help residents to become more aware of things that can be done at home that will protect our waterbodies from so many contaminants. In a 30-40 minute period, we offer a video on protecting our nation’s water resources and a power point presentation that explains the pollutants that are affecting our storm water and general household techniques to prevent them. If your organization is interested in having a day or evening presentation, please contact me at 330-451-7405 or email me.
P.I.P.E. (Public Involvement Public Education)
November, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Storm Water Runoff- Keep It Clean!
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II is a program required in Stark County by the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to protect our water supply.
Storm water runoff is rain or snowmelt that flows over the ground. As it flows, it can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants contaminating our water. Anything that enters a storm sewer is discharged untreated into waterbodies that we use for drinking, fishing, and swimming.
Only 1% of our water is usable drinkable water. With the limited supply available, we must conserve and protect our water.
Read about Stark County's Storm Water Management Program. (> 9 MB)
There are several ways that residents can help to keep the water clean. Visit the following website links for recommended actions.
Storm Water Questions & Answers:
www.ncstormwater.org/pages/stormwater_faqspage.html
General Tips: http://www2.lakecountyohio.org/smd/WhatCanYouDo.htm
There are natural/safe alternatives that can replace commonly used products.
Link to household alternatives
Treatment of lawns and gardens can contaminate storm water through pesticides, fertilizers, and soil runoff. Various measures can be taken to reduce water use and contaminant runoff. Proper wastewater management can protect the environment. For example, create your own rain garden. Plant and maintain healthy plants because they are less susceptible to insects and disease requiring minimal pesticides. Compost is very valuable in keeping plants and lawns healthy.
It is essential for home owners to develop landscape plans that utilize the natural conditions of their property. Test soil every 3 to 4 years. Choose plants that are local. Regional plants use less pesticides and are water efficient. Mulch helps to retain water, reduce weeds, and improve soil. If fertilizer/pesticides are necessary, use small amounts of slow-release or organic ones. Proper landscape practices benefit the environment, increase property values, reduce maintenance, and are cost effective.
You can help fight water pollution by putting in a rain garden. Rain gardens are shallow depressions that divert rain water from going directly into storm drains or ditches which eventually lead to streams or creeks. They take runoff from a roof, driveway, parking lot, or other hard surfaces where it can pick up pollutants such as fertilizers and pet droppings along the way and allow it to soak in the ground instead of rushing into a storm sewer.
The rain garden can be small or large. Every little bit helps to cut down on the amount of pollutants entering our water systems.
Before getting started, check local laws. Some areas do not allow downspouts to be diverted. Also be aware of the location of the public utilities.
The rain garden should be at least 10 feet from your home and not in an area where rain already collects. Place it in a low spot away from trees.
Garden design will depend on three factors: depth of garden, amount of runoff being diverted and type of soil already in your garden.
A good soil mix for rain gardens is 50 to 60 percent sand, 20 to 30 percent topsoil, and 20 to 30 percent compost. It is recommended that you put down shredded hardwood mulch so the soil remains moist and able to soak up rain.
To direct water to your rain garden, disconnect a downspout and reroute it to the garden. You can either extend the downspout across your property or create a rock-lined channel. You can also run PVC pipe underground to the garden. Putting in landscape rocks or fabric at the outlet of a pipe can help slow down the rainfall and prevent erosion.
Links: Rain Gardens and Household Ways to Improve Water Quality in Your Community:
http://www.cleanwater.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.gardens.pdf
Sustainable School Projects: Rain Garden:
www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/school/articles/rain_garden.pdf
Rain Garden Plants:
www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/design/2004sp_raingardens.htmlLinks for Kids:
http://www.oceansidecleanwaterprogram.org/kids.asp
