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Keep It Clean

Hoover Crop 

The We All Live Downstream  program offers simple steps you can take at home to prevent water pollution.


Central Ohio River Pride

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river fest on tour

JUNE 2013 - CENTRAL OHIO RIVER PRIDE MONTH!
Each spring, litter is a visible problem in many communities, with our stream and river banks being no exception. Much of the litter in our communities washes into our waterway areas. Litter is not only an eyesore, it can affect community pride, water quality, endanger wildlife, encourage crime and promote mosquito growth by providing a place for water to stagnate. 

The Department of Public Utilities and partners will kick off the twelfth annual Central Ohio River Pride event in June. This month-long event, formerly held in May, was designed to promote awareness and appreciation of our natural waterways through environmental stewardship and recreation. Activities include stream-bank litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, rain garden workshops and more. Volunteers are invited to participate.

Volunteers are needed for the following events (NOTE: updates coming Mar/April 2013):

2013 Date/Time

Location

Contact

June 8 9:00 AM Adena Brook Litter Cleanup & Invasive Plant Removal Adena Brook Community
Call 447-8043 or Email
June 15, 9:00 AM Alum Creek Litter Cleanup Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries
Call 569-8544 or Email
June 22, 9:00 AM Griggs Reservoir Litter Cleanup Columbus Public Utilities & Scioto Boat Club
Call 645-1748 or 645-1721

Please check back or call 645-STREAM (7873) for updates on the above cleanup events. For year-round opportunities, contact your local watershed group (see Feature below). 

Above Photo: Volunteers display just some of the debris retrieved from the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers confluence area. 

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:


Plan Your Own Litter Cleanup

Want to plan your own neighborhood litter cleanup? For planning assistance and supplies, Columbus residents should contact: Keep Columbus Beautiful at 645-8027. KCB can provide litter grabbers, safety vests, bags & other tools; they offer an Adopt-an-Area program and graffiti cleanup too.

Visit the KCB page at Columbus Refuse. 


Join Riverfest On Tour

Riverfest On Tour! includes a full month of activities, capped by a grand finale June 29 in partnership with COSI. Throughout the month there will be water-themed activities across Central Ohio including boating and fishing. And be sure to visit COSI's Traveling Exhibit, WATER now through September 3, 2012.


More About Join Riverfest On Tour...

Plan Your Own Storm Drain Marker Event

Help raise awareness that dumping waste into storm drains contributes to water pollution & endangers wildlife. Decals, adhesive & instruction is provided for volunteers to apply on curbs near storm drain inlets - perfect for individuals or groups. Coordinate an event to coincide with River Pride or plan one anytime from April through October (weather permitting).


More About Plan Your Own Storm Drain Marker Event...

Participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

Household hazardous wastes are materials used in the home that can cause injury or are harmful if disposed of improperly. Never dump these items into a storm drain, open waterway or ditch. Learn how to dispose of such items properly - there are many free drop-off locations offered by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).


More About Participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program...

Volunteers Are Needed Year-Round by Local Watersheds

Local watershed groups plan year-round events and other ways to participate in keeping our waterways clean, including streambank litter cleanups, invasive plant removal & more. For more information contact:  


More About Volunteers Are Needed Year-Round by Local Watersheds...


Non-point Source Pollution

Stormwater Runoff

Protect our Waterways
Illustration Courtesy of NCDENR