Where does our water go? All the water we use inside our homes goes directly to the
septic system or to a sanitary sewer system and then to a wastewater treatment plant
where it is cleaned and released back into our creeks, streams and lakes cleaner than
when it started.
What about all the water outside of our homes such as the rainwater that falls on our
roofs, lawns, driveways, roads, streets, roadside ditches and parking lots? Where does
this water go? It is not always easy to tell where this “STORMWATER” goes after it
gets to the gutter, storm drain, street or ditch. The stormwater flows from these places to
our creeks, streams, and lakes, BUT IS NOT CLEANED before it gets there.
The rainwater from our roofs, gutters, lawns, driveways, parking lots, roads, and roadside
ditches picks up trash and pollution. This pollution includes oil and antifreeze that drips
from our cars, excess fertilizer and pesticides from our lawns, litter, grass clippings,
leaves, and pet waste. Once pollution is picked up by the rainwater it moves through
gutters, storm sewers and ditches to our creeks, streams, and lakes where it can cause
health and safety problems for us and the living things in them.
Because we live on or near Lake Erie, and most of Northeast Ohio’s rainwater flows from
creeks and streams to the Lake, we not only affect the health our creeks, but the health of
our Lake, its beaches, and our drinking water supply.
Rainwater from roofs, lawns, driveways, streets, roadside ditches and parking lots in
South Russell drain to small creeks that flow into the Chagrin River and then to Lake
Erie. This rainwater has a direct impact on some of our greatest assets in these areas.
There are many ways we can help keep our water clean, save money, and prevent problems.
It is important that we work together to keep our creeks and streams healthy.
South Russell is working to make sure that creeks and streams running through our
community are clean and free of pollutants to help keep them, the Chagrin River, the
Chagrin River watershed, and Lake Erie watershed, a healthy place for our use and enjoyment.
So, we not only affect the health our creeks, but the health of our Lake, its beaches, and our drinking water.
Below are additional links for selected topics
with additional and useful information.
