Ohio Stormwater Awareness Week, October 1–7

Mahoning County, OH – Communities across Ohio are urging residents to “Be the Change for Clean Water” and take action during Ohio Stormwater Awareness Week, October 1–7, 2025.

“Ohio Stormwater Awareness Week gives residents a chance to learn how small actions can make a big impact on protecting our drinking water,” said Kathi Vrable-Bryan, Executive Director for the Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District. “While rainwater benefits lawns and gardens, it can be harmful to our streams and rivers if not managed properly.”

Stormwater can carry everyday household items—such as trash, lawn fertilizer, or paint—into local waterways, threatening both the environment and clean drinking water. During Ohio Stormwater Awareness Week, Mahoning SWCD encourages residents to consider the following actions:

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood or local parks. Make it a family game to see who can fill a bag first.
• Check the weather before applying fertilizers or chemicals to your lawn, driveways, or sidewalks. This protects both the environment and your wallet.
• Maintain healthy lawns with 3–4 inches of topsoil under the grass to reduce runoff and simplify lawn care.
• Plant native plants with deep roots to break up clay soil, retain water on your property, and support birds, butterflies, and bees.
• Plant a tree or install a rain garden. A single tree can soak up 900 gallons of rain annually, and a well-designed rain garden can nearly eliminate stormwater runoff from a property.

Pollution from roadways, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots drains directly into streams and rivers. Simple actions can improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and help prevent stream erosion and flooding. Each year, Conservation Districts assist hundreds of homeowners with concerns about erosion, flooding, and pollution caused by stormwater.

There is so much we can do for clean water in Mahoning County. During the week of October 1–7, take a moment at home and at work to raise awareness among your family and co-workers about actions that make Ohio a better place to live, work, and play.

For more information on stormwater programs and resources, visit mahoningsoilandwater.org and ohiostormwaterweek.org.