Storm Water Information
What is storm water?
Storm water is exactly what its sounds like, water from precipitation that runs off of the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers through catch basins. These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of your streets.
Essentially, the water is called storm water runoff and is a concern to us in commercial and industrial sites as well as in your neighborhood because of the pollutants it carries.
Where does the storm water go after it drains into a storm drain or catch basin?
Storm water that does not seep into the ground, drains into systems of underground pipes and may travel for a distance before being released into Marion’s streams and wetlands.
Storm drainage reaches the Olentangy River and the Little Scioto River through creeks and ditches. Blum Creek, Rock Swale, and the Columbia Street Ditch flow to the Little Scioto River, Grave Creek and the Qu Qua Ditch flow to the Olentangy.
Did you know that pollutants entering storm drains in the streets are not removed before entering our water resource areas?
Substances that enter the storm drain system are not treated at all! Anything poured into a gutter or a storm drain, such as used motor oil or antifreeze, flows directly to our waterbodies.
What are common contributors to storm water pollution?
When it rains, oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides and other pollutants get washed from driveways, backyards, parking lots, businesses, construction sites, industrial plants and streets into storm drains and then directly to our streams and wetlands untreated.
The wastes, residues, and by-products from various activities enter storm drains with storm water runoff and flow into streams, creeks, and tributaries, harming fish and other aquatic life.
Residents 
