As a part of the Rock River Basin, the water that flows from your yard, car or street affects the entire interconnected community. Most of the pollution in our rivers, streams and lakes comes from runoff from yards, streets and fields, not from large industrial factories or plants. Small amounts of pollutants and chemicals can add up to big problems for local waters.
There are many simple actions you can take to keep water out of storm drains and keep water that does flow to the rivers clean. Take one of these simple actions in your yard, around your home or in your community.
As part of the Rock River Basin, we are all connected to each other through streams, rivers and stormdrains. Join your neighbors in these efforts to keep our waters clean and the future bright.
Prevent and Report Illegal Dumping
Illegal, or illicit discharges, include any substance that is dumped into a stormwater drainage system, lake river or stream that is not entirely composed of water. Harmful materials that are discharged cause odors, kill fish and can grow algae.
Stormdrain Stenciling
Community groups throughout the Rock River Basin are painting local storm drains to remind people that when water enters stormdrains from lawns, driveways and streets it goes directly into local creeks, rivers and lakes, without being treated or filtered. Stormdrain stenciling is a fun activity for groups of all ages. For more information or to get a stenciling kit, contact the Clean Water. Bright Future. campaign at rdill@biodiverse.org.
Volunteer Monitoring
Join your neighbors as a volunteer stream monitor in your area. Volunteers monitor the health of streams by recording stream flow, clarify, and cataloging all the small creatures living in the water. You can volunteer with the Rock River Coalition's Citizen Monitoring Program or the statewide Water Action Volunteers program.
Orginize a Stream Clean Up
Create a trash-free River. You can orginize or participate in a local river cleanup with the help of American Rivers. Call Ginny H. Crake National River Cleanup™ Campaign Manager 1-877-347-7550, ext. 3056 for questions about volunteering.
Photo by John Hart, Watertown Daily Times