| Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination |
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Improper Disposal of Grass Clippings
The City of Oregon, governed by an Ohio EPA Phase II Stormwater permit, encourages proper disposal of grass clippings, including alternatives such as composting, or mulching. Also, the City’s waste collector, Waste Management, allows for grass clipping pickup with normal garbage collection. (Not to exceed 40 pounds per bag) Working together, we can continue to improve the water quality of this delicate area. Solid Waste ManagementThe Lucas County Solid Waste Management District offers recycling and collection of specialty, household hazardous, tire, and electronic waste for Lucas County Residents. |
The illicit discharge detection will involve multiple parties to identify problem areas, trace the source of the problem, and eliminate the source. The parties involved will be the Department of Public Service, the Street Department, the Building and Zoning Inspection Department, the Lucas County Health Department, the Fire Department, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Coast Guard. An illicit discharge is defined as “‘…any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of storm water…’ with some exceptions. These exceptions include discharges from
Improper discarding of grass clippings in areas such as ditches and streams will result in many problems within that particular setting. Grass clippings contain a large amount of nutrients including phosphorous, which can cause an increase in algae growth within the stream and receiving body of water. Nutrient input can reduce dissolved oxygen levels within a water system, which is necessary for biodiversity. Grass disposal on the banks of ditches or streams can kill vegetation, which degrades bank stability and eventually forms blockages. Grass that is deposited on the ditch bottom can also create a blockage in the stream.