ACTIVITIES

   Bright white signs reading "Dump No Waste, Drains To River" and showing the outline of a fish are being spray-painted at all the storm drains in Decatur's streets this year to remind the public that "storm water pollution begins with that drain on the street."

Joan Eichhorn, manager of the Decatur Storm Water Department, is working to paint hundreds of storm drain signs on the 55 to 60 miles of streets in Decatur in an educational campaign for the public.

Eichhorn said, "Everyone values clean water, but a recent national survey found that most of us still believe industry is the biggest source of pollution. "In reality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more pollution comes from the combined effects of common daily actions that rain and snowmelt rinse from our streets or farmlands."

 (Fall 2006)

Wastewater employee, Bob Gavin, and Storm Water Department Manager, Joan Eichhorn, canoe down the St Mary's river to check storm water outfalls for illicit discharge.

Pictured are Verlin Butcher Wastewater Assistant Superintendent, Joan Eichhorn Storm Water Manager, and Woody Stout Wastewater employee, at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. They recently tested a new “smoke machine” that was purchased by the City’s Storm Water Department. This gas powered machine forces environmentally friendly smoke filled air through the City’s sewer system to locate leaks and illegal connections. It will be used as part of the ongoing Rule 13 permit the City has been mandated to maintain from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. (Summer 2007)

City storm drains and a series of pipes collect rainwater and deposit it directly into nearby streams, ditches, wetlands, or rivers, Eichhorn pointed out.

"Storm water is not cleaned before it empties into our waterways. This means lawn care chemicals, grass clippings, litter, pet wastes, automotive products, plus other wastes are dumped untreated into our waterways," she said.

"There are things individuals can do to reduce this problem. Small changes in habits can make a big difference. It's simple: put nothing down the storm water drain that you wouldn't put directly into the river."

(Spring 2005)

 The Storm Water Department has a booth at, “Spotlight  on Decatur” every spring to increase public awareness of good storm water pollution prevention practices.      

Smoke exiting sewer outfall at Wastewater Treatment plant.