Protect Our Watershed

Many communities, including our own, are addressing the impacts of storm water runoff as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Phase II Storm Water Program. This program was implemented to improve the quality of the nation’s streams, lakes, rivers, and estuaries by managing storm water runoff from urban and suburban areas, construction projects, and industrial sites. This Phase II Rule sets forth three primary requirements for the smaller municipalities, like ours, and the adjacent urban areas.

1. To develop, implement and enforce a storm water management program designed to minimize the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters.
2. To ensure that the program includes provisions to address six minimum measures to promote pollutant load reduction, including: Public education, Public participation and involvement, Illicit discharge detection and elimination, Construction site runoff control.
3. To identify appropriate storm water treatment practices.

Following are some of the ways we can protect our watershed:

• Pile snow removed from driveways and sidewalks on vegetated areas.
• Do not push grass clippings and/or mulch into streets/gutters.
• Look for less toxic alternatives to the pesticides or fertilizers used on lawns, and only use the amount needed.
• Dispose of pet wastes in the garbage can.
• Use mulch and/or plant vegetation on bare ground to prevent erosion.
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks rather than hosing them down to clean.
• Properly store, dispose, and use hazardous materials, including; oil, gas, and antifreeze. NEVER dump these items into/onto the street, gutter, or roadsides.
• Notify the Public Works Department of suspected or witnessed storm water problems.

For more information call the Public Works Department at 719-884-8039 or check out the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/npdes, and for Dumping call the Stormwater Hotline at 719-884-8017.

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