Why stormwater management matters
Stormwater management can be a difficult concept to understand. What does it mean, and how does it help the region?
REGIONAL SOLUTION FOR REGIONAL PROBLEMS
Stormwater-related problems must be addressed regionally because what happens in one community can affect another. Often one community addresses a problem and may inadvertently move that problem downstream to the next community. Managing stormwater flows is necessary to protect our natural resources, reduce streambank erosion and decrease the pollutants in streams and rivers. If these issues are not addressed today, the problems will continue to get worse and will be more costly to solve in the future.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTIONS
Stormwater-related problems include the flooding of streets that stops traffic from moving, or the collapse of streambanks from erosion that causes bridges to crumble or roads to fail. These problems occur at one time or another in every community in our service area. The Regional Stormwater Management Program will address flooding, streambank erosion and water quality issues in our waterways throughout Northeast Ohio which have been ignored for many years. This will be accomplished through planning, maintenance and construction of stormwater-related projects.
Related links:
Stormwater management matters to you.
Clean water is one of our region’s most valuable resources. It affects your drinking water, your overall quality of life, your property values, and your community. Protecting our clean water is not something that can be done by one person or one community alone. A regional stormwater management program is a critical component in protecting our clean water.
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS CAN HAVE POSITIVE LOCAL IMPACT
Locally, communities can benefit by taking advantage of the Community Cost-Share Program in which 25% of the stormwater revenue collected within a community will be available for its own municipal stormwater-management projects such as debris removal or flooding abatement.
Related links:
HELP YOUR YARD AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Customers can receive a reduction in their Stormwater Fee by implementing District-approved stormwater control measures and completing the related credit applications. Efforts like downspout disconnects, rain gardens, and rain barrels can benefit your property and reduce your stormwater fee. There are numerous stormwater control measures that residential customers or businesses can implement to qualify to receive stormwater fee credits. To learn more about the credit program, Submit an online application or call and speak to one of our Watershed Team Leaders at (216) 881-8247.