The key to implementing and managing an effective storm water management program begins with community awareness and involvement. The programs will be designed to give the public a better understanding of why storm water management is essential. The City of Oregon Department of Public Service has structured the best management practices (BMPs) to address the pollutants that impact our area. The public education and outreach programs will work to distribute educational materials and conduct outreach activities to encourage the public to take action in reducing these pollutants. The combined efforts of the community and the Department of Public Service will improve the quality of the area streams and Lake Erie.

Give Water a Hand

In cooperation with the Maumee RAP , an educational brochure campaign "Give Water a Hand: You Can Make a Difference” took place over a fourteen month period. The campaign combined the distribution of a designated brochure with a corresponding advertisement in the Toledo Blade. The tip cards were be distributed by mailing to the households. The distribution occurred as follows:

Stormwater Coalition Newsletter Series

Fertilize Your Lawn If You Must, But Don't Fertilize the Water

Save money on your lawn care maintenance and reduce pollution in storm water by not fertilizing your lawn by conventional methods.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is a great way to organize your house, but you should take care when disposing of old computers, electronics, and other hazardous items.

Great Ditches Make Great Lakes

The Great Lakes, which account for 20 percent of the world's fresh water, are a local resource that you can protect through storm water management. The Great Lakes are fed by local streams and rivers, which often contain pollution from storm water runoff. Increased use of biofiltration in place of conventional ditches can improve water quality and habitat, reduce erosion and flooding, and provide economic benefits for this region. The factsheet gives on overview of the positive effects of riparian setbacks and biofiltration systems.

Household Hazardous Waste

Proper disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) prevents storm water pollution and it's the law. The factsheet will help you identify common HHW sources and provide information on the options for recyling and disposal.

Don't Let Your Pet Pollute

Dog waste and cat litter are a source of pollution for our streams if not properly disposed.

Putting Yard Waste to Work

Grass clippings, tree branches and other yard debris can be put to good work. Re-use it as fertilizer, compost, or mulch.

Give Water a Hand Business Campaign

The importance of our waterways cannot be overstated. Our waterways are needed for economic growth, they provide us with recreational opportunities, supply us with drinking water, and enhance our over all quality of life. Throughout the region, many organizations and individuals are making great strides toward cleaner streams. The Maumee RAP and City of Oregon have partnered together with other area jurisdictions and organizations to deliver to our region the message of how everyone can make a difference.

The Give Water a Hand Business Campaign is the first water quality education program in our region to focus entirely on helping businesses save money, time, and resources while protecting our area’s rivers and streams. This program will provide business owners and managers information and assistance to help them save money and prevent pollution. We hope you will join with other individuals in our region to become a Give Water a Hand Partner.

How Can Your Business Benefit?

Participating businesses benefit in several ways including:

• Save money! Reduce operating expenses by improved housekeeping
• Save time! Less time will be needed to fix a problem if it is managed properly
• FREE promotions from window static stickers, web sites, news articles, and paid advertisements provided by the program
• FREE technical assistance to identify opportunities to prevent pollution
• Potential customers will be encouraged to select the services of Give Water a Hand Partners
• Personal satisfaction that your business is doing something to help protect the environment

How Does The Program Work?

The owner or manager of an eligible business (food service, vehicle service, mobile home repair and maintenance, and stationary businesses and storage facilities) requests a Give Water a Hand Business Campaign package from their community. This package includes a Guidebook directed to the issues of your type of business, companion poster to help educate employees, and a voluntary Self-Assessment Form.

• Review the time and money saving tips highlighted in the Guidebook
• Complete the simple Self-Assessment Form
• Request a site visit by your local community Give Water a Hand Partner
• Implement money saving and water protecting practices identified on your Assessment Form

After reviewing the Guidebook, you should understand how your business activities could impact your wallet and our waterways. Completing the voluntary Self-Assessment Form allows you to determine what money saving best management practices (BMPs) your business can do to save you money while protecting our rivers and streams.

To request a Guidebook or to schedule a site visit, please call the Department of Public Service at (419) 698-7047.

Oregon Spring Fest

Oregon Spring Fest is held annually in May by the City of Oregon and other civic organizations. The festival provides an opportunity to present many educational and recreational activities and exhibits.

The Department of Public Service Storm Water display includes information about storm water awareness, storm water pollution prevention, and how to become involved. Also showcased is the EnviroScape® Model.

The EnviroScape® Model is an educational tool that illustrates the human impact on the environment by causing or reducing runoff pollution and erosion. This concept is demonstrated by applying powdered drinks to the plastic urban landscape and then a rain event is produced by spraying water onto the model. The result can be observed as the various colors of powdered drinks are transported to the lake area by the rain.

If you are interested in seeing a demonstration of this model, please call the Department of Public Service at (419) 698-7047.

Storm Drain Stenciling Program

Storm Drain Stenciling is an activity that draws attention to one of the many types of non-point source pollution: stormwater runoff. In this activity, individuals paint a message onto a storm drain, reminding people that litter and pollutants that enter the storm drain can end up in our waterways.

What is a storm drain?

Storm drains direct rainwater from our city streets to the stormwater pipes underground. There are different designs of storm drains. Often they are openings in the curb, or sometimes they can be in the form of a grate in the grass near the side of a roadway. As gutters are designed to move rainwater off your house's roof and away from the house, storm drains are designed to direct water into stormwater pipes, to move it away from roads and buildings and into the nearest waterway.

How are storm drains and pollution related?

Many people are unaware that storm drains carry stormwater to the nearest waterway, often without any kind of filtration or treatment. The nearest waterway may be a small creek or ditch, but that creek eventually will connect to a larger stream or river, which eventually will drain into Maumee Bay or Lake Erie. Many of us obtain our drinking water from these sources, so eventually, we are drinking the same water that at one time fell as rain and drained off of our neighborhood streets through storm drains. The debris and chemicals that are carried by the water flowing through storm drains can pollute our water supply and also threaten marine life living within the water bodies that receive the water. It is our responsibility to let only rain go down the storm drains.

Why stencil storm drains?

The purpose of painting a message on the storm drain is to remind residents and visitors to our community, that whatever goes into that storm drain does not just disappear, but will continue into the environment affecting all life, human and otherwise, in that area. Visitors to the area that notice the stenciled message on the storm drain will learn about the importance of stormwater runoff and how our community cares for the environment.

How can I get involved?

Contact the Department of Public Service at (419) 698-7047 if you or your organization would be interested in participating in Storm Drain Stenciling.

Past Storm Drain Stenciling Participants