Dearborn County, Indiana
A unique mixture of agriculture and industrial enterprises with easy access to surrounding areas
Why Care About Stormwater?
As stormwater flows over impervious surfaces it collects many pollutants such as sediment, pathogens, fertilizers, solid waste, salt, and various other materials.
Historically gray infrastructure has been utilized to manage stormwater runoff. Examples of gray infrastructure include: gutters, drains, pipes, and retention basins.
Gray infrastructure directs water away from developed areas, but does not provide water quality treatment before the water is discharged into local waterbodies.
What is Green Infrastructure?
To improve water quality many individuals, contractors, businesses, and municipalities are incorporating green infrastructure into their landscapes. Green infrastructure treats stormwater through natural infiltration and in the place it is at.
Types of green infrastructure include: rain gardens, urban trees, green roofs, green parking areas, planter boxes, green streets, bioswales, and permeable pavement.
To learn more about each type of green infrastructure see here:
What Can You Do As A Landowner To Improve Local Water Quality?
Common pollutants generated on individual properties maybe yard waste, trash, pet waste, salt, fertilizer, and detergents.
Yard waste refers to leaves, cut grass, and small twigs. Yard waste when left to lie can add nutrients back into the soil and help provide habitat for organisms. However when yard waste is distributed onto streets or swept into storm drains it can impede water pathways and result in flooding. To help prevent a drainage issue, you can sweep up and remove any yard waste or trash around any storm drains near your house. Remember to be careful to minimize the amount of debris entering into the storm drains as you are sweeping.
Homeowner Conservation Practices to Protect Water Quality (PDF)
Teachers, please find below various free water quality games to print below:
1. Journey Through the Watershed Game (3rd grade +)
2. Water Cycle Coloring Book
3. Native Plant Flash Cards
4. Stormwater Bingo
5. Stormwater Coloring Book
6. Stormwater EPA Crossword
Additional Resources for teachers:
1. US EPA Nonpoint Source Pollution Activities
Site Design and Content Copyright © 2024 Dearborn County, Indiana
Site Design and Content Management System by CORE Business Technologies
