Hilliard highlights Stormwater Awareness Week, outlines MS4 responsibilities and recent watershed projects

Deputy Engineer Jeff Cox told Hilliard City Council on Sept. 22 that Oct. 1–7 is Stormwater Awareness Week in Ohio and outlined steps residents and businesses can take to reduce stormwater pollution.

Cox said the Ohio General Assembly and Gov. Mike DeWine designated the first week of October as Stormwater Awareness Week by enacting House Bill 65, referred to in the meeting as the Agriculture Appreciation Act, which is set to become effective at the end of September. He said the Ohio EPA has identified Hilliard as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) community and that the city’s MS4 permit includes required actions to manage stormwater quality entering and leaving the storm sewer system.

Cox told council practical actions residents can take: pick up neighborhood trash; check weather before applying fertilizer or lawn chemicals to avoid wash‑off during rain; consider deep‑rooted landscaping or rain gardens to promote infiltration; minimize deicing salts; pick up pet waste; keep leaves out of storm inlets; and repair vehicle fluid leaks promptly.

He described recent city investments in the Big Darby watershed, which he said is both a state and national scenic river and overlaps the western portion of Hilliard. City contributions over the past 20 years include about 3.2 miles of stream restoration in coordination with Franklin County Engineer’s Office and local developers (Clover Grama Run and Hamilton Run watersheds). Cox estimated the total cost of those improvements at roughly $3.5 million, with Hilliard contributing about $1,000,000. He also said the city is rehabilitating several stormwater ponds this year and plans to transplant wetland plants removed during dredging into newer wetlands built as part of the Clovercroft stream restoration municipal park.

Cox encouraged residents to consult the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District website and the city’s stormwater web page for more information. He thanked council for placing the item on the agenda and said the outreach fosters compliance with the MS4 permit.

Council members asked whether the outreach would be posted on the city website or Facebook; Cox said he had discussed posting with city staff (Andrea) and expected material would be placed on the stormwater web page. A council member also asked whether Hilliard runs hazardous household collection events (paint, fertilizers, hazardous chemicals); Cox said he was not aware of a regular Hilliard program and noted regional options posted on SWACO’s website and that some hazardous collection events occur in nearby municipalities.