Protecting the Rouge River: Storm drain badges, pet waste stations are reminders to be proactive

Three new pet waste disposal stations dot the part of the "Rouge River Gateway Greenway Trail" that runs through campus. The installation of the stations is part of an initiative to educate the campus community about contaminated storm drain runoff.

Did you know that the storm water drains on campus drain directly to the Rouge River without any treatment?

That’s why University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety & Emergency Management (EHSEM) is being proactive in educating the campus community about the dangers of contaminated storm drain runoff and the importance of protecting the Rouge River.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn campus has two different systems to deal with wastewater and storm water that is generated on campus:

1. Through the sanitary sewer system that delivers wastewater from our homes, offices, and other buildings to a treatment plant before it is discharged to the Detroit River.
2. Through the storm water drains that are intended to prevent flooding by quickly diverting rain water and snow melt away from areas prone to standing pools of water. This water is not treated before it is discharged directly into the Rouge River.

Rain water and melted snow are the only things allowed in the storm water sewer drains. Therefore, these storm water badges are accompanying all the sewers on campus. In addition, EHSEM is working on furthering the storm water awareness by furthering public education and outreach program(s) on storm water impacts through public involvement and participation.

The campus community should never pour anything down the storm drains located outside. If you observe a spill or illicit discharge on campus, report it immediately to UM-Dearborn’s Department of Public Safety at 313-593-5333.

Since the addition of the Rouge River Gateway Greenway Trail in 2005 on the west side of campus, mismanaged pet waste is an increasing contaminant concern. Dog owners who do not clean up after their pet leave disease-causing animal waste lying on the ground, which can seep into the storm drains at the next rain and flow straight to the Rouge River and other lakes and streams in the community. Hala Hachem, a senior at UM-Dearborn, took the initiative to propose and push the installment of three pet waste stations along the trail. Pet owners can help prevent storm water pollution by utilizing the newly-installed pet waste disposal stations along the path and are encouraged to always bring bags to clean up and dispose of their pet’s waste along the trail, as well.

For more information about contaminated storm water runoff, as well as tips on how to manage and prevent it, visit UM-Dearborn’s EHSEM website: http://www.umd.umich.edu/691923/.