Richland Soil and Water Conservation District News – January 2026
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2026 brings a new MS4 theme: Only Rain Down the Drain! Learn more by clicking.
By Zoe Baumberger
In the final quarter of 2025, we inspected our MS4 township garage facilities to confirm their good housekeeping practices. We enjoyed catching up with the township road supervisors and discussing our plans for the new permit term, which will run from 2026 to 2030.
2026 brings a new MS4 theme: Only Rain Down the Drain!
Many people don’t realize that, unlike a sanitary sewer, the water that enters a storm drain or ditch is NOT treated. There’s no filtration or disinfection process. Stormwater simply flows (often through a system of pipes, culverts, and catch basins) to the nearest stream, lake, or river. That means anything the water picks up along the way (from litter to oil) is carried into our local waterways. What goes down the drain goes into our environment.
Join us throughout 2026 as we highlight simple ways to protect our waterbodies. If you’re planning a project this year, come get your stormwater permit to ensure you’re only sending rain down the drain. Small choices can make a big impact! Learn more here: https://www.onlyraindownthedrain.com/
