Muskegon Stormwater Billboard Campaign
In the fall of 2005, as part of an education campaign, 4 stormwater billboards were created and posted throughout the county.  Each billboard provides a insight into every day activities that are directly connected to local stormwater systems and which empty into our local waterways. 

                
When you wash your car in the driveway all of the water and soap you use flows down the driveway and into local stormwater drains.  This water carries not only the soap that contains phosphorus and encourages algal growth, but also washes any other pollutants on your driveway (antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, lawn fertilizers) into our local streams, rivers, and lakes.  Why not wash your car on the lawn, which prevents runoff, waters the lawn at the same time, and preserves our natural resources?  Or, visit a carwash facility so that water can be recycled and then sent for treatment through the county wastewater system.

                
When using lawn fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides be sure to take extra car to ensure your hard earned cash stays where you want it.....on the lawn.  Any extra lawn products that are spread on the street, driveway, road, or other hard surface are washed into local drains with the storm water and carried to our waterways.  If you use any lawn / yard care products be sure to apply according to the instructions and sweep up any extra materials accidentally spread on impervious surfaces.  Lastly, consider using no-phosphorus fertilizers since phosphorus is not needed for lawns in most areas of Muskegon County.  Local soils already have enough phosphorus to provide lush green lawns, and any additional phosphorus you use washes away into local waterways.

                
Vehicle leaks can be harsh on the wallet, but think about the impact they are having on our local waterways.  Any fluid from your vehicle that drips on your driveway, on roads, parking lots, or other hard surfaces will likely end up in our local lakes, rivers, and streams.  During storm events these fluids are washed into storm drains and then into local waterways with no treatment.  That's right....no treatment.  Storm drains help keep water from pooling up on hard surfaces, but they also act as a direct link to our waterways.  So whatever is leaking from your vehicle today may be the same fluids you swim in tomorrow.

               
We know its not a pleasant job, but cleaning up after you pet is key to cleaning up our local lakes, rivers, and streams.  Pet wastes left on the ground get carried away by storm water, contributing to harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses in our waterways.  Flushing pet waste, composting, or depositing in a vegetated area where runoff does not occur are the best disposal methods. 

Billboard ads were paid for by the Muskegon Area Stormwater Committee as part of the Public Education Plan being implemented by the Muskegon Conservation District.
                                                  

Conservation

Formed in 1938, the Muskegon Conservation District remains an active participant in conservation of natural resources

Preservation

The District works to integrate sustainability into forest management and preserve 957 acres in Muskegon County for public use

Restoration

Local volunteers help control exotic species and restore urban environments at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve