Public EDUCATION
At Water Pollution Control, safeguarding the environment and protecting the health of Cleveland residents and visitors is a top priority. We recognize that an educated and informed community is essential to the success of our mission as the city’s sewer maintenance division and stormwater manager.
Our Education and Outreach team is actively involved in over 100 events annually, engaging with the community to share information about our services. We also highlight various environmental activities and projects that promote awareness and education, empowering residents to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Cleveland.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of Cleveland’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, requires Cleveland have an education and outreach program to teach residents and business owners about the impact of stormwater discharge on the environment as well as the sewer infrastructure and their properties.
A knowledgeable community can help reduce and eliminate pollution in stormwater and help identify violations, such as illegal dumping and illicit discharges.
Stormwater pollution is a significant concern because it stems from multiple sources. In fact, nonpoint source pollution—the type for which we cannot pinpoint a single origin—is the leading cause of water quality issues. Rain and snowmelt transport contaminants from the ground into our nearby water bodies, making every day rainfall a potential risk.
Each of us can unknowingly contribute to this problem, whether through littering, allowing vehicle fluids to drip, or improperly discarding hazardous household chemicals on the ground. By understanding the impact of our actions, we can work together to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect our waterways.