Protect Your River: Keep Storm Drains Clean

The Evansville Museum is honored to be an iconic landmark along the beautiful Ohio River. As such, we are proud to do our part to protect the Ohio River watershed from harmful pollutants and litter. As part of this commitment, we recently installed state-of-the-art filters on all stormwater drains on Museum property. What can a small stormwater filter do to defend the mighty Ohio River? A lot!

When it rains, stormwater that is not absorbed by the soil is called runoff. Runoff flows across the surface of the ground, over pavement, through vegetation, down storm drains, and eventually back into lakes and rivers. As runoff flows over land, it collects and carries debris. This debris includes natural sand and silt, as well as human litter, yard waste, pesticides, and other chemicals. Runoff carries this debris down storm drains which funnel it back into the Ohio River. As a result, harmful pollutants and human waste can easily enter our waterways. That is where stormwater filters come in.

Stormwater filters are the small but mighty heroes that keep our rivers clean! As runoff flows through storm drains, stormwater filters block debris from entering our sewage system. Harmful pollutants and litter are removed and properly disposed of, preventing them from reentering our waterways. Clean rainwater is allowed to continue on its journey down our storm drains, through our sewage system, and back into the Ohio River. Stormwater filters keep the Ohio River clean and our ecosystem healthy.

You can join us in our commitment to protecting the Ohio River and its watershed! Following these four simple steps can keep litter and pollutants out of our waterways:

1. Rake leaves and properly dispose of yard waste. Lawn clippings, tree trimmings, and raked leaves can clog storm drains, leading to flooding. Rotting organic matter also adds an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus to our waterways, contributing to algae blooms.
2. Keep household chemicals out of storm drains. Household chemicals like fertilizers, auto fluids, and cleaners can harm plants and animals that rely on clean water to survive. Pro Tip: Wash your car over grass instead of pavement! Soil can help filter out harmful cleaners before they reach our groundwater. If you do have to wash your car over pavement, ensure that the water drains into a vegetated area instead of running across pavement and into storm drains.
3. Properly dispose of household trash. Litter can clog storm drains, introduce dangerous chemicals to waterways, and harm wildlife. Ensure that all household trash is properly disposed of in a sturdy-bottomed garbage bin. Leaky garbage bags or overflowing garbage bins can allow litter to enter storm drains.
4. Properly maintain your septic system. Cracked septic systems can allow human waste to leak into groundwater and, during periods of intense rainfall, rise to the surface. Water contaminated by human waste can then flood across the surface and flow into our waterways. Yuck!

Everyone plays a part in keeping the Ohio River and its watershed clean and healthy. This project is made possible thanks to support from the Evansville Endowment Fund.