The 2026 stormwater theme is "On the Road to Clean Water"!

​The goal is to bring awareness to impervious surface pollution and how to reduce stormwater pollution. Summit Soil & Water’s programming will focus on what common pollutants are and how residents can take action to protect their local waterways. 

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rain or snowmelt that flows over land and hard surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots instead of soaking into the ground. As it moves, stormwater can pick up pollutants like oil, dirt, chemicals, and litter, carrying them into storm drains, streams, rivers, and lakes. Because stormwater usually flows directly into local waterways without treatment, managing it is important to reduce flooding, prevent erosion, and protect water quality and aquatic life. Effective stormwater management helps keep communities safe and the environment healthy.

Common Stormwater Pollution

• Road salts and deicing chemicals
  Applied during winter months. These increase salinity in freshwater systems, stressing or killing plants and animals that are sensitive to salt.

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• Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) Commonly from fertilizers, grass clippings and pet waste. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in water, leading to fish kills and poor water quality.

• Sediment (dirt and soil)
  Washed from construction sites, bare land, and eroding streambanks. Sediment clouds water, reduces sunlight for aquatic plants, smothers fish habitat, and can carry other pollutants attached to soil particles.​

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• Oil, grease, and fuels
  Leaked from vehicles and machinery on roads and parking lots. These pollutants are toxic to aquatic organisms and can coat fish gills and plant surfaces, harming aquatic life.

• ​Pesticides & Herbicide:​ ​Used in landscaping, agriculture, and pest control. These chemicals can be toxic to insects, fish, and other aquatic organisms, disrupting food webs and ecosystems.​

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• Trash and debris
  Includes plastics, cigarette butts, and other litter. Trash can injure or kill wildlife, degrade habitat, and break down into microplastics that persist in the environment.

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• Bacteria and pathogens
  Enter stormwater from pet waste, wildlife, and failing septic systems. High bacteria levels can make water unsafe for swimming and harm both human health and aquatic life.

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How you can help!

​Residents can play an important role in reducing stormwater pollution by making simple changes at home and in their daily routines. Common ways to help include:

• Use fertilizers and pesticides responsibly
  Apply lawn and garden chemicals only when needed and according to label directions. Avoid applying before rain, and consider not using these products.
• Pick up pet waste
  Dispose of pet waste in the trash or toilet to prevent bacteria and nutrients from washing into storm drains and waterways.
• Properly dispose of household chemicals
  Never pour paint, oil, cleaners, or automotive fluids into streets, storm drains, or yards. 
• Maintain vehicles and clean up spills
  Fix leaks promptly and clean up oil or fluid spills using absorbent materials instead of washing them into the street.
• Reduce runoff from your property
  Use rain barrels, rain gardens, permeable surfaces, or native plants to help rain soak into the ground rather than flow into storm drains.
• Keep leaves, grass, and debris out of streets and drains
  Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of hosing them down, and compost yard waste when possible.
• Wash vehicles responsibly
  Wash cars at a commercial car wash or on grass where water can soak into the soil, not in the driveway where runoff goes to storm drains.
• Reduce impervious surfaces
  Minimize paved areas and choose porous materials for patios, walkways, and driveways when possible.
• Prevent erosion
  Stabilize bare soil with plants, mulch, or ground cover to reduce sediment runoff.
• Grass clippings are about 90% water, they break down quickly and do not create thatch, contrary to common belief. Grass cycling can reduce your lawn’s nitrogen needs by up to 25%, lowering the need for additional fertilizer. 
  

These actions help protect local waterways, reduce flooding, and support healthier communities and ecosystems.