RAIN, DRAINS AND YOU

Pollution Control for a Healthy Aurora

Where does our water go?  All the water we use inside our homes goes directly to the septic system or to a sanitary sewer system and then to a wastewater treatment plant where it is cleaned and released back into our creeks, streams and lakes cleaner than when it started. 

 

What about all the water outside of our homes such as the rainwater that falls on our roofs, lawns, driveways, roads, streets, roadside ditches and parking lots?  Where does this water go?  It is not always easy to tell where this “STORMWATER” goes after it gets to the gutter, storm drain, street or ditch. The stormwater flows from these places to our creeks, streams, and lakes, BUT IS NOT CLEANED before it gets there.   

 

Image: StormwaterIllustration.pdf  (Citation: NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Creative Services)-

 

The rainwater from our roofs, gutters, lawns, driveways, parking lots, roads, and roadside ditches picks up trash and pollution.  This pollution includes oil and antifreeze that drips from our cars, excess fertilizer and pesticides from our lawns, litter, grass clippings, leaves, and pet waste.  Once pollution is picked up by the rainwater it moves through gutters, storm sewers and ditches to our creeks, streams, and lakes where it can cause health and safety problems for us and the living things in them. 

 

Because we live on or near Lake Erie, and most of Northeast Ohio’s rainwater flows from creeks and streams to the Lake, we not only affect the health our creeks, but the health of our Lake, its beaches, and our drinking water supply. 

 

Rainwater from roofs, lawns, driveways,  streets, roadside ditches and parking lots in Aurora drain to small creeks that flow into the Chagrin River and Tinkers Creek (to the Cuyahoga River) and then to Lake Erie.  This rainwater has a direct impact on some of our greatest assets in this area, the Chagrin River, Tinkers Creek, Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. 

 

What is a Watershed? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PazndNOcXPQ

 

What can you do to protect your watershed? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PbHPUA5WfM

 

Aurora  is working to make sure that creeks and streams running through our community are clean and free of pollutants to help keep the Chagrin River and Tinkers Creek (to the Cuyahoga River) and Lake Erie watershed a healthy place for our use and enjoyment. 

 

But there are many ways you can help keep our water clean, save money, and prevent problems.   It is important that we work together to keep our creeks and streams healthy.   

 

Check out all the ways you can keep our water healthy, fix drainage problems and save money!

 

S Landscaping for Less S Backyard Streams S Wet Backyard S Test Your Soil S

S Good Housekeeping S Development Practices S

 

BURNING QUESTIONS:

·         What can I do to help manage an eroding backyard creek? 

 

·         What type of plants can I plant along my creek in place of grass?

 

·         What plants grow well that will look manicured and reduce landscaping maintenance and costs?

 

·         What can I plant along a steep hill in my backyard?

 

·         Where can I get the soil from my lawn tested, so I can apply the right amount of fertilizer?

 

·         How can I manage a wet area in the lawn?

 

·         Where can I dispose of old paint, or pharmaceuticals?

 

·         What type of maintenance is required for septic systems?  

 

·         Healthy Yard Clean Water Resource List

 

Support for this section provided by Lake Erie Protection Fund and Chagrin River Watershed Partners.