Stormwater Education

Polluted water enters lakes and rivers in two ways: point and non-point sources. Point sources are easy to identify because it comes from a pipe and can be traced back to the land use from which the pollution originated. Special permits issued under The Clean Water Act has been successful in reducing pollution from point sources. Non-point sources, or collective pollution is harder to control because pollution originates from many different sources and land uses.

Classic examples of non-point sources include water coming from parking lots and water flowing over fertilized lawns. Non-point sources, including stormwater, are significant contributors to water pollution and are difficult to regulate. However, through individual actions pollution can be greatly reduced. Here are some of the environmental concerns connected to stormwater:

• Roads and Parking Lots - Stormwater flowing over parking lots and roads can pick up antifreeze, gasoline, and oil that drips from cars, as well as heavy metals such as copper, chromium, lead and zinc.
• High Salt Concentrations - Road salt used to melt snow washes directly into our water systems which increases salt concentrations in our waterways; and many aquatic animals and plants are sensitive to these salt concentrations.
• High Nutrient Pollution - With increased amounts of nutrients from lawn fertilizer, pet waste and phosphorus-based soaps dumped into the water, algae thrives and increases in population creating a "bloom" that eventually dies off. Dead algae is decomposed by bacteria and this leads to decreased amounts of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. Low DO can lead to fish kills and some algae can even produce toxins that are harmful to humans and wildlife.
• Thermal Pollution - Water running off pavement and roads can be very hot. A change in the temperature of the water can change the suitability for certain aquatic animals and plants to survive and reduce oxygen availability.
• Sedimentation - Water flowing over construction sites and picking up sand and grit from roadways can pollute the water in creeks, rivers, and lakes. Sediment can settle in neighborhood ponds, leading to infrastructure damage and expensive maintenance costs. Sediment is the most prevalent pollutant in Indiana waterways.
• Habitat Destruction - When a large amount of water surges into creeks and other waterways, it can be very destructive. Stormwater can also carry invasive species to water bodies.

• Sediment - Construction sites, bare spots in lawns and gardens, waste water from washing cars and trucks on driveways or in parking lots, and eroding stream banks.
• Nutrients - Overused or spilled fertilizers, especially on lawns; pet waste; and grass clippings and leaves left on the streets and sidewalks.
• Disease Organisms - Animal waste, garbage, and improperly treated sewage.
• Hydrocarbons - Car and truck exhaust, leaks and spills of oil and gas, and burning leaves and garbage.
• Pesticides - Pesticides over-applied, pesticides applied before a rainstorm and spills and leaks.
• Metals - Cars and trucks and galvanized metal gutters and downspouts.

Some easy things you can do to protect our watersheds include:

• Pick up after your pets: Picking up after your pets helps prevent their waste from entering our waterways and adding harmful pollutants.
• Read the Label - Use Lawn and Garden Fertilizer Wisely: Before fertilizing lawns, consider obtaining a soil test first. Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District offers soil testing services and the results will aid in determining fertilizer needs. When fertilizers are applied, make sure directions are followed for the product used. Over-application and sloppy application leads to fertilizer washing from lawns, sidewalks, and streets into storm drains.
• Septic System Maintenance: Just like any other tool or appliance, a septic system needs to be maintained to function properly. Pumping of the tank every 3 years removes accumulated solids, allows for inspection and gives the septic field a rest.
• Rake or mulch your leaves: Letting leaves stay in the street leads to clogged storm drains and potentially leads to flooding.
• Get involved: Monroe County's SWEET (Stormwater Environmental Education Team) helps promote and facilitate environmental stewardship events/projects/programs such as but not necessarily limited to: Adopt A Stream, Adopt A Road, environmental education classroom presentations, Hoosier Riverwatch, Lake Monroe clean up events, Weed Wrangle and stream clean up events.
• Report problems: You can report any stormwater problems by using the contact information below.

Conclusion

It is up to the entire community to ensure we live in a healthy environment with safe water.  If you have any questions or concerns about stormwater, please contact us at storm@co.monroe.in.us or 812-349-2565.

As stormwater flows over impervious surfaces such as roads and parking lots, it often collects debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants before it flows to streams, lakes and other water bodies. In addition, excess runoff can contribute to more severe flooding events and cause erosion of valuable land.

Learn about the importance of Maintaining and Marking Storm Drains.

View stormwater best management practices (detention pond/basin, swale, ditch, curb inlet, etc) within our inventory: BMP Inventory Map

If you would like to report an issue with a stormwater best management practice, you may call our office at 812-349-2565 or submit an online report, anonymity allowed. Click here to submit a report.

Click on the video links below to learn or review information about stormwater:

What even is stormwater? 

Stormwater tips for your property

Rain Garden 101  

How to control for erosion

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for stormwater

There are many ways to incorporate stormwater education into a variety of classroom subjects and since stormwater quantity and quality affects everyone, it is easy for students to relate to the subject.

Hoosier Riverwatch offers introductory and advanced stream monitoring training at various locations throughout Indiana. These workshops are usually free and open to any adult interested in water quality.

For more information, visit the Hoosier Riverwatch website.

Project WET provides teacher training workshops generally lasting 6 hours, and are designed to:

• Provide hands-on experience in the use of the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide
• Explore a range of activities that can be infused into science, math, language arts, social studies, reading, art, and music curricula in grades K-12
• Supply information about Indiana's water resources and water quality management issues
• Link educators with water resource agencies and conservation programs.

For more information visit the Project WET website.