Storm Water Management
Mark Dunsmoor, Commissioner of Public Utilities
P: 419.872.8050
F: 419.872.7979
E: mdunsmoor@ci.perrysburg.oh.us
The Storm Water Management Program serves as the educational outlet for the City of Perrysburg concerning pollution prevention from non point source pollution (NPS) as mandated by the EPA.
Use this section to learn how to safely and effectively dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) and protect the Maumee River Watershed.
Residential Pollution Prevention
Did you know that that what you put down the drain in your home, ends up in the Maumee River and eventually Lake Erie? The waste water treatment plant removes most pollutants but, even some trace amounts of pollutants are harmful to our water source, the Maumee River. The best solution is to prevent pollutants from going down the drain.
Dispose of unwanted medicines properly.
For years it was recommended to flush unwanted medicines down the toilet. Now residents have the safe disposal option of the annual Recycle Roundup or the DEA Take Back Program.
Keep drains free of cooking fats, oil and grease.
When poured down the drain, cooking fats, oil and grease (FOG) can block sewer lines, causing raw sewage to backup into homes and streets. Keep your sewer lines FOG-free by scraping cooking fats into the garbage.
Dispose of mercury containing household items properly.
Because mercury is highly toxic to humans and wildlife, it is important to reduce the likelihood of mercury spills. Many common household items contain mercury: mercury thermometers (the liquid will be silver colored), thermostats and washing machine switches. Consult the A-Z Recycling/Disposal Guide for proper disposal methods or bring these items to the annual Recycle Roundup
Dispose of oil paint and other household hazardous waste properly.
Never pour unwanted household chemicals, such as paint thinner, pesticides, fertilizers down the drain. Consult the A-Z Recycling/Disposal Guide for proper disposal methods or bring these items to the annual Recycle Roundup.
Wash your car in a watershed friendly manner.
Washing your car at home can send soap, oil and other pollutants down the storm drains and into the Maumee River. Car wash facilities pretreat their soapy water to remove most pollutants and then send their partially treated water to the treatment plant.
If you change your oil at home, there is a potential for pollution.
Be certain to be careful when changing your oil and recycle the used motor oil.
Your Dog Can't Flush.
Pet waste is also a pollutant to the watershed. So when walking you dog, clean up after your pet.
Cigarette Butts are litter too.
If you are a smoker, make certain to use an ashtray.
Lawn and gardens can be sources of non point pollution.
Take into consideration the watershed when mowing the lawn or working in your garden and landscaping. Grass clippings can be harmful to our Maumee River watershed. Over use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides can have a detrimental effect on Grassy Creek, one of the main tributaries of the Maumee River. Learn about rain gardens as a method of reducing non point pollution.
Consult the A-Z Safe Disposal/Recycling Resource pages for proper disposal and recycling of specific items.