Community Partners for Clean Streams

Community Partners for Clean Streams (CPCS) is a voluntary, cooperative effort between the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner's Office and Washtenaw County businesses, institutional landowners and multi-family residential complexes. The goal of the program is to help identify practical, cost effective ways to protect Washtenaw County waterways through pollution prevention. CPCS is a cost-free initiative that provides information, technical advice and recognition to participants.

Why Be Concerned?

EPA studies show that as much as 70% of all water pollution is caused by stormwater runoff. After a rain or melt event, water flows over roofs, parking lots, lawns, streets and sidewalks. As the runoff flows over land, it picks up and carries a variety of pollutants including sediment, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, debris, oils and greases from the landscape (click here for more information about these pollutants). It is then routed into a storm drain that flows directly into a local waterway. Many people believe stormwater is treated at a sewage treatment plant prior to discharge, but this is not the case.

The most effective way to protect Washtenaw County waterways is to prevent pollution before it ends up in stormwater. The cost of preventing pollution is generally one-tenth to one-hundredth the cost of cleaning it up, so it is the best practice for both the environment and the economy.

The Community Partners for Clean Streams Program works with Partners on the following activities to find cost-effective ways to prevent pollution:

· Housekeeping Practices

· Maintaining Engineered Stormwater Controls

· Maintaining Equipment and Vehicles

· Maintaining Buildings and Pavement

· Maintaining Landscapes

· Site Design and Construction

· Managing Waste

· Education

· Fats, Oils and Grease Disposal for Food Service Providers

Who Can Participate?

The Community Partners for Clean Streams program is available to business, institutions, municipalities and multi-family residential complexes in Washtenaw County. A list of current partners can be viewed here.

How to Become a Community Partner

Becoming a Community Partner is customer friendly. Our staff completes all of the paperwork and provides partners with free assistance and technical advice to protect water quality. Outlined below are the four steps it takes to join our program.

• Information packets are sent to the interested party. A brief, onsite presentation of the program is offered.
  
• A water quality assessment is performed on site by Community Partners For Clean Streams with the Partner. Business practices that may affect water quality are reviewed. This process takes approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the site.
  
• The Partner’s Water Quality Assessment is compiled into a Water Quality Action Plan that is sent to the Partner for review and signature.
  
• Upon receipt of the signed Water Quality Action Plan, the Partner receives a letter of recognition and a framed certificate indicating participation in the program.  The partnership duration is two years, and may be renewed at the end of each term.

Fact Sheets and Brochures

The handbook and brochures listed below may be downloaded in pdf format.

Information about downloading the Community Partners for Clean Streams handbook.

Fats, Oils and Greases Disposal Brochure

Homeowner's Handbook

*NEW* Paint Pointers Brochure

*NEW* Prescription Drug and Personal Care Product Disposal Brochure

eMonitor Newsletter

The Community Partners for Clean Streams monthly eMonitor is an electronic newsletter available to Partners and friends. Click here for a complete listing of issues available for download.

Community Partners Recognition Program

Newspaper Ads

Twice a year, in the summer and winter, Community Partners for Clean Streams places an advertisement in the Ann Arbor News to recognize the work our Partners do to prevent pollution and protect Washtenaw County's waterways. The most recent ad was placed on December 18, 2005. A pdf version of the ad can be viewed here.

Displays

All participating organizations to date are listed on our Community Partners for Clean Streams display, which is exhibited at community events and at local businesses. 

Events

Rouge Rescue/Johnson Creek Day
Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Fish Hatchery Park in Northville.  Join Community Partners for Clean Streams for a day of fun activities for the whole family!  The Johnson Creek Celebration is from 11:00 - 2:00 pm.  There will be activities for the entire family including live animals and children's activities. 

Salem Flag Day
Saturday, June 7 2008 in Salem.  The parade begins at 11:00 am on 6 Mile and Hamlet.  Booths with activities will be located in Salem Township Hall from 11:00 - 2:00 pm.  Join in on the family fun and visit the Community Partners for Clean Streams booth and children's activity!  For more information go to http://sahshistory.org/Flag_Day.html

Huron River Day
Sunday, July 13 2007 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor.  This annual event draws many people to enjoy the benefits of the Huron River.  Community Partners for Clean Streams will be conducting a children's activity under the tent from 12:00 - 4:00 pm, stop by and visit us!  For more information please visit http://www.a2gov.org/HRD/

2007 Environmental Excellence Awards

Community Partners have the opportunity to be nominated for the annual Washtenaw County Environmental Excellence Awards. The event is cablecast and provides additional recognition to those who go above and beyond to protect the environment.

During Pollution Prevention Week, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners honored the 2007 Environmental Excellence Award Winners. This year's winners demonstrated exceptional leadership in environmental protection in the areas of pollution prevention, water quality protection, and waste reduction and recycling.

2007 Environmental Excellence Overall Winner

Whitmore Lake High School

Excellence in Water Quality Protection

Pittsfield Charter Township

Honorable Mentions:

Seva Restaurant

Village of Dexter

Excellence in Waste Reduction and Recycling

Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley

Honorable Mentions:

Heritage School of Saline

Ann Arbor Architects Collaborative

Excellence in Pollution Prevention

Pittsfield Charter Township

Honorable Mention:

Village of Dexter Department of Public Works

Questions?

For more information about how your business can participate in the Community Partners for Clean Streams Program, please contact:

Michelle Bononi, Senior Environmental Planner
(734) 222-6833 or email bononim@ewashtenaw.org

Vicki Kalkirtz, Environmental Planning Intern
(734) 222-6813 or email kalkirtz@ewashtenaw.org

Or, call the Office of the Drain Commissioner at (734) 222-6860.