It makes up 75% of the human brain, makes life possible on Earth, and hydrates the human race. It is easy to make an argument that water is our most valuable resource! Stormwater Awareness Weeks encourage communities to raise awareness about stormwater and keep our waterways clean.
What exactly is stormwater? Why is it so important? Stormwater is water originating from a rain storm. In a rural landscape the stormwater soaks into the soil and surrounding environment. In urban and developed landscapes rain water falls on impervious surfaces, collecting pollutants as it moves towards a stormwater collection system and finally back into our streams, rivers, and lakes.
The Issues with Stormwater
You’ve been told not to litter, encouraged to car pool, and warned about the danger of some fertilizers, but do you know why that applies to the water you drink? When a storm blows through your community causing flooding, the stormwater collects all those pollutants as it flows towards the stormwater collection system. Carrying trash, oil, fertilizer, and more, untreated, to our bodies of water. This phenomenon is the reason why stormwater is one of the greatest threats to our waterways!
According to the EPA, a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) with a stormwater management program can prevent these pollutants from traveling into our waterways. A successful MS4 stormwater management program addresses the issues of stormwater through runoff control, measurable goals and analyses, public education, public involvement, and more.
Celebrating Stormwater Awareness Week
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District and Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District are celebrating Stormwater Awareness Week from October 18-24. Throughout the week they are encouraging communities to raise awareness about stormwater.
How can you get involved and spread awareness in your community?
- Neighborhood clean-ups
- Native tree & plant installations
- Rain garden construction
- Informational social media posts
- & much more!
Imagine A Day Without Water
Coinciding with Stormwater Awareness Week is Imagine a Day Without Water on October 21. Image a Day Without Water is a nationwide campaign that runs each year to raise awareness about the value of water. Can you imagine a day without water? Probably not! Water is an essential and invaluable resource.
How can you raise awareness about the value of water in your community? Use the resources provided by Imagine a Day Without Water to create informational posts and start conversations with the people in your life about just how important our clean waterways are.
How Can We Help?
We understand the value of water and by providing complete drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water resource engineering services, we do our best to improve water, wastewater, and stormwater management in communities across the nation. Have a water project in your community? Contact us at info@msconsultants.com.