Frequently Asked Questions

Stormwater is water generated from storm events such as rain or snow. Stormwater runoff is the water that is from these events that flows over streets, lawns, fields, and buildings. This water travels to areas of lower elevation, such as lakes and streams. This runoff can also collect pollutants (debris, oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) that will eventually be received by lakes and streams.

The stormwater runoff from the City of Beavercreek eventually makes it to the Ohio River. The pollutants in the runoff add to the pollutants for other sources, such as industrial sites, other urbanized areas, and agricultural areas.

The City of Beavercreek developed the Beavercreek Stormwater Management Ordinance as part of compliance with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) regulations. The goal of this plan is to reduce pollutants in the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), storm water runoff, and outfalls.

This ordinance, along with the plan specified within, address 6 minimum control measures:

• Construction site storm water runoff controls
• Good Housekeeping and pollution prevention
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Post construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
• Public education and outreach
• Public Involvement and participation

There are a variety of ways that the public is involved with Beavercreek’s plan. The public plays a vital role in helping the City of Beavercreek implement the plan by helping the city manage the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), storm water runoff, and outfall by reporting issues observed with the current storm sewers, such as debris buildup, clogged outlets from detention areas, etc.

By helping to reduce litter at homes, businesses, and public areas, the public helps the appearance of the city. Water quality is also improved by reducing debris and other pollutants that can be included in runoff that makes its way to the MS4 and eventually water bodies throughout the city.

A role that the public plays with the management program that is essential to the success of Beavercreek’s Storm Water Management Program is the identifying and reporting of illicit discharges into the system. The public can report an illicit discharge a variety of ways.

To help reduce polluted stormwater runoff:

• Do not dump anything down a storm sewer or drain
• Place pet waste in a trash can
• Take the used oil from an oil change to an approved facility like the local auto shop for disposal
• Visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Storm Water website for further information
• Wash your car on the grass so that pollutants and excess water are infiltrated and filtered by the grass and soil