Would you go to the beach and dump a gallon of oil or paint in to the water?  How about a shovel full of dog poop? Well if you dump waste oil, paint, pet waste into the storm drain by your home you are doing the same thing. What goes into the storm drain by your house goes directly into the local ponds and streams; it does not go to a treatment plant

Federal regulations through the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) require that all municipal separate storm sewer systems (known as MS4s), partially or fully in urbanized areas obtain storm water permits for their discharges into receiving waters (lakes, streams, rivers).  To meet the federal regulations the Village has developed a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP).

The SWMP describes the procedures and practices that are implemented by the Village toward the goal of reducing the discharge of pollutants within storm water runoff in order to comply with Federal standards.  Compliance with this program is intended to protect water quality, contributing to the following amenities:

• Cleaner lakes and streams
• Improved recreational opportunities and tourism
• Flood damage reduction
• Improved aesthetics and wildlife habitat
• A safer and healthier environment

Federal environmental regulations based on the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) require the separate storm water systems , construction sites, and industrial activities control polluted storm water runoff from entering receiving bodies of water (including navigable streams and lakes). 

There are a few simple ways that residents and businesses can all help reduce the amount of pollutants that enter our waterways.

• Do not dump motor oil, antifreeze, or other hazardous materials on the ground or into sewers. Recycling programs are available for these hazardous materials, and many service stations accept used motor oil for recycling.
• When cleaning your driveway, dock, or parking lots use a broom instead of water and dispose of debris in the trash; not in the street or storm sewer.
• Do not dump branches, leaves, or grass clippings along creek beds, in open ditches, or in the street.
• Minimize the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers on your lawn and plant native plants whenever feasible to lessen the need for herbicides.
• Please pick up litter and place it into trash cans. This will prevent it from getting washed into the storm sewers and eventually into our waterways.
• Cover piles of dirt and wood mulch while doing landscaping projects, and sweep up debris (do not wash it into the street).