When it rains, it pours – into the Rocky River

Published 6:18 pm Wednesday, July 4, 2007

By Staff
Surprising as it may be, the majority of our water quality problems cannot be attributed to point source discharges from factories, paper mills, or wastewater plants. They can, however, be traced back to our neighborhoods, to our friends and family, and to you and me.
The pollution generated from dozens of streets and hundreds of homes located in any one watershed adds up to one major problem for our water resources. This pollution is carried from our lawns, driveways, and homes to our waterways by stormwater runoff; the leading cause of water quality problems in the United States.
When the storm hits, water that cannot soak into the ground flows over the land into ditches and streets picking up all debris in its path. Litter, cigarette butts, animal and human waste, lawn fertilizer, yard pesticides, detergents, oil and everything else is dumped in the nearest waterway.
The polluting effect of all these contaminants entering our lakes and rivers is such a serious water quality concern that the City of Three Rivers has previously installed five aqua-swirl concentrators to address this situation. These concentrators are filtering devices that separate sediment, oil, and floating debris from stormwater before being discharged to the river. Another aqua-swirl is to be added this fall in conjunction with the Rocky River Watershed Project.
Contrary to popular belief, storm drain inlets, like those found on every curb on every city street in America, bypass the municipal wastewater plant and discharge directly to the nearest waterway.
For the Rocky River Watershed, this means everything that is dumped in those drains, everything that is washed down them, all the rain water runoff and all it carries is directly deposited in the Rocky River.
To make this fact well known, the Rocky River Watershed Project has teamed with the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers sponsored Boy Scout Troop 414 to educate the public through a Storm Drain Stenciling campaign that marks storm drains with a "No Dumping- Drains to Waterways" decal. To compliment this message, an informational door hanger with simple tips to maintain water quality will be hung on doorknobs throughout the targeted area.
The difference between enjoying clean rivers or merely tolerating polluted waters is only a minor change in habit. All it takes is cleaning up after your pet goes outside, recycling oil instead of dumping it in the storm drain, and not washing cars on your cement driveway. The responsibility to maintain clean water in our community ultimately lies with each individual.
For more tips on how small actions can make huge differences in water quality, contact Dan Stanaway at 467-6336, or log onto our website, www.stjoecountycd.com and follow the Rocky River link to Stormwater and Water Quality Tips.