Now that summer is officially here, and the kids are out of school, outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, car washing and lawn care are a part of our everyday activities. All of these activities have one central thing in common: they impact our waterways in the City of Groveport.

City Water Sources

The City has three main streams running through its corporation limits: Blacklick Creek, Big Walnut Creek and Walnut Creek. Not only do these streams provide recreational and fishing opportunities in our community, but they also act as a storm water conveyance system for City. In addition, when properly managed, these systems carry water away from the City to prevent flooding.

When it rains, runoff from roof tops, driveways, roadways, and other hard surfaces makes its way to the storm sewer system, where it eventually outlets to one of these three creeks either directly to or through smaller ditches and streams flowing to them. Stormwater carries a variety of pollutants such as oil and grease, sediment, bacteria, nutrients, heavy metals and litter.

Protect Our Streams

In an effort to protect our valuable streams that become summer recreation sources during hot weather and the organisms and fish that live in them, the City would like to provide some tips to residents for controlling water pollution from stormwater discharges:

• Do not dump anything in the storm sewer, such as antifreeze, cleaning supplies, motor oil, paint, etc.
• Do not use excessive amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers on your lawn.
• If you have a septic system, keep it in good working order. Have your septic system inspected by a professional at least every 3 years, pump the septic tank when needed (about every 3 to 5 years), plant only grass over and near the drain field to avoid damage from tree roots and do not drive or park vehicles over the leach field.
• If you live adjacent to a waterway, do not mow up to the ditch or stream bank; leave a tall grass buffer to minimize runoff and erosion.
• Install a rain garden to minimize runoff and treat stormwater with attractive native plants.
• Make sure no chlorine is present in pool or spa water before draining the structure. Discharge the water slowly over an open grassy area, not into a stream or storm sewer system.
• Pick up after your pet; pet waste contributes significant amounts of bacteria to our waterways. Dispose of pet waste in the trash.
• Pick up litter to keep our storm sewers and waterways clean.
• Reuse stormwater by collecting it in rain barrels to water plants later.
• Stormwater runoff is most effectively controlled by slowing the water down and allowing it to infiltrate back into the ground slowly. Install pervious pavement, such as paving blocks, grid pavers, pervious concrete or pervious asphalt so water will infiltrate and not immediately run off.
• Take care to absorb spilled fluids from auto maintenance using absorbent towels or kitty litter. Dispose of these items in the trash.
• Wash your car on the lawn or take it to a commercial car wash to minimize pollutant runoff.

Report a Violation

Be the eyes and ears for the City: Report violations to City Engineer Steve Farst at 614-836-5301. We can all do our part to protect our streams, one home and one business at a time.