- SPECIAL EVENT
- August 14, 2004
-
- Storm
Water District Kicks Off Storm Drain Labeling
- and
Public Awareness Campaign
 The Butler County
Storm Water District is working hard to get the word out that
anything put into a storm drain flows untreated directly into
our local waterways. In an effort to create awareness, District
officials are conducting an informational campaign that includes
placing
labels like the one at left on storm drains throughout neighborhoods
within the District. Door
hangers are also distributed so local residents know what
is taking place.
The Butler
County Storm Water District, in cooperation with the Butler County
Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), conducted its first
series of storm drain labeling efforts. The first labels were
installed August 14, 2004 at the Ascot Downs subdivision in Fairfield
Township and August 21, 2004 in the Hughes Woods subdivision
in Liberty Township.
Storm drain
labels are simple and effective best management practices to
prevent non-point source pollution from entering waterways in
our community and those downstream. The stencils are intended
to make urban and suburban homeowners think twice before dumping
material down the storm sewers and into rivers, streams, and
ponds in their neighborhoods.
Many people
use our storm drains to dispose of materials such as used oil,
paint products, automobile detergents, grass clippings, leaves,
trash, and pet waste. Other things such as fertilizer, pesticides,
and sediments enter our storm drains as polluted runoff during
rainfall events. All of these pollutants have been shown to lower
local water quality and threaten the health of aquatic plants
and animals. We are polluting our waterways because most people
do not know that the combined effect of our day-to-day behaviors
can have a large impact on the environment.
This type
of pollution is known as "non-point source pollution"
because it does not come from any one identifiable place. Non-point
source pollution is therefore very hard to control. It will take
the combined actions of everyone in our communities to make a
difference.
How
can you help?
Learn something
about the local streams in your neighborhood and how they are
connected to the storm drains. Take a look at your own behavior
and ask whether you could be part of the problem.
- Change how
you do things.
- Properly
dispose of used oil and paint waste
- Clean up
after your pet
- Wash your
car on your lawn or use a commercial car wash
- Avoid leaving
areas of soil exposed for long periods of time
- Decrease
the amount of pesticides and fertilizers you use on your lawns.
Interested
in Storm Drain Labels in your neighborhood?
Initial reaction
to the program and demand for labels has been outstanding. If
you or your organization would like to assist with future labeling
projects or if you would like storm drain labels in your neighborhood,
please contact the Butler County Storm Water District at 513-785-4120.
All materials required for label installation, including storm
sewer maps and educational outreach pamphlets will be provided
- Click on thumbnails to enlarge.
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