Public Involvement
The Stormwater Dept. organizes two stream clean-ups per year, focusing on areas of observed dumping. The Stormwater Dept. also sponsors an Annual Storm Drain Art Contest, in which local artists beautify our storm drains and educate the public.
- Disconnect your downspout. Instead of letting rainwater from your roof go directly into the creek, plant a rain garden so water can infiltrate into the soil. Or install some rain barrels, and use this water on your lawn & garden, and save on your water bill!
- Create a buffer zone. If a stream runs through your property, let a buffer of trees, bushes and groundcovers grow up naturally along its banks. This will prevent erosion, filter run-off during storms, provide shade and prevent excess algae, and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic life. It will improve the water quality in the stream, and you’ll have less mowing!
- Maintain your septic system. Improperly maintained systems can leak sewage into the creek, causing elevated E. coli levels. You can help make our creeks safe to play in!
- Dechlorinate. Keep chlorinated water (tap water or pool water) out of the creeks. It kills fish and other aquatic life.
- Pick up trash. Unnatural substances can pollute our creeks and be hazardous to aquatic life, as well as look unsightly.
- Respect the storm drain. Storm drains go directly to the creek without any treatment, so never pour any wastewater down a catch basin, curb inlet, or ditch.