What You Can Do
Residents can help the Toledo Waterways Initiative in its goal of reducing pollution of area waterways by helping to cut down on excessive amounts of storm water entering combined sewers as well as by considering becoming a member of TWI’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
Disconnect Downspouts and Driveway Drains
Toledo residents are required to disconnect downspouts and driveway drains that flow directly into Toledo’s sanitary sewers. This prohibition is a part of the Consent Decree signed by Toledo and the Ohio and U.S. EPAs. More information about downspouts and driveway drains can be found here.
During heavy rainfalls, sanitary sewer systems can become overloaded. Rainwater can enter the sanitary sewer from gutters, downspouts and drains that are connected to these sewers. Redirection of storm water from sewers to vegetated areas not only can help reduce pollution but also reduce potential flooding.
Any cost connected with disconnecting storm water sources must be paid by homeowners. A grant program is available to assist with these costs. More information can be found here.
Rain Gardens
Another practical and potentially good-looking idea is to create a rain garden in low spots on your property. Rain gardens can catch and slow storm water from downspouts and impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, and roads. Water runs off these hard surfaces instead of being absorbed into the ground.
According to information from the Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative, instead of contributing to possible combined sewer overflows, rain gardens hold water and allow it to infiltrate into the soil with the help of deep-rooted plants that like water. The garden is planted in a shallow basin as part of an area’s landscaping plan and will actually filter pollutants from the runoff that it captures and absorbs.
Rain gardens emulate natural drainage and provide storm water storage, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat and neighborhood beautification.
For additional information, click on the following link: http://www.raingardeninitiative.org/
TWI’s Citizens’ Program Advisory Committee
As directed by the Consent Decree that created TWI, an important component of the TWI program is a Citizens’ Program Advisory Committee which serves on behalf of Toledo’s citizens and water/sewer customers. The committee provides input and feedback to the City and program management on issues relating to the Toledo Waterways Initiative. Individual members are then asked to share relevant information with their own neighbors and/or civic groups that may be impacted by projects in neighborhoods around the waterways of Toledo.
Further, the committee is charged with ensuring the community’s needs/concerns/wishes are incorporated into the implementation of the Long-Term Control Plan. Members are to be independent and objective – having no business relationship with the City or any contractors or sub-contractors associated with the program.
TWI always is looking for interested residents who want to take part in the program’s mission of reducing pollution of the area’s waterways. Interested residents are urged to contact TWI’s Commissioner to discuss possible committee membership.
