How can I help?

Ten things you can do to prevent storm water runoff pollution:

1. Limit the amount of fertilizer and pesticides used on gardens and lawns
   
   
2. Sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters
   
   
3. Dispose of chemicals properly.  Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams!
   
   
4. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff
   
   
5. Take your car to the carwash instead of washing it in the driveway
   
   
6. Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil
   
   
7. Pick up after your pet
   
   
8. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly
   
   
9. Report illegal dumping
   
   
10. Get involved in water educational programs

Community Activities

Storm Drain Marking

This year, the MS4 group will gather volunteers to help with our storm drain marking project. Please fill out the volunteer form below if you or your organization would like to participate in a storm drain marking activity. Check back to this page in the future for date, time, and additional information about this activity. If you are interested in marking the storm drains at your sites, these markers are available from Almetek Industries. Almetek markers have a low initial purchase cost and no replacement costs for up to 30 years!

Please take our 2010 Storm Water Management Survey!!

Community Cleanup

The City of Terre Haute's organization, Keep Terre Haute Beautiful (KTHB) holds community cleanup days twice a year. This year the Clean-Up Days are scheduled for:

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Activities for Kids and Families

We have several student educational programs each year. We participate at the SWCD's 5th grade field days and we have activities for children and parents at St. Mary of the Wood's Earth Day each year. Visit our Kids and Education page for more information about these activities and more.

Purchase Your Very Own Rain Barrel

You can harvest rain water with your very own rain barrel. Rainwater stored in rain barrels helps reduce the amount of storm water runoff as well as the amount of pollutants that are picked up and carried to storm sewers, creeks, and the Wabash River. Rain water is a naturally soft water that is devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. You can purchase your very own rain barrel from the Vigo County Soil & Water Conservation District and help reduce storm water pollution.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please join us in monitoring and protecting the water quality and improving the ecological integrity of our rivers and streams. The Clean Water Coalition of the Wabash Valley is always happy to have members of the community volunteer their time to help protect the quality of the storm water in Vigo County. There are lots of ways you can help.

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in learning more about water quality or participating in any of our events.