Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated.
You can make a difference and help us keep our local waters clean. As a visitor to this site, you’ve already taken the first step: getting informed. Step two: adopt a couple of clean water habits, such as:
- Picking up after your pets and disposing of their waste properly
- Applying fertilizer and pesticides in the proper amounts. Excess fertilizers just run off your lawn and into streams, where they causes a lack of proper oxygen levels.
- Maintaining your vehicle properly, and most importantly, not dumping oil or any type of fluid down storm drains
- Washing your vehicle on grassed areas, so that water carrying pollutants filters down through the ground and does not run directly into the storm drain system
- Not littering, as litter often washes away along with stormwater and can be ingested by fish, birds, or other wildlife
Residents may be the first to recognize “illcit” discharges coming out of storm sewer outfalls or dumping into storm sewers. If you witness such things, please report it as soon as possible to the township by one of the following methods: