What You Can Do
Disconnect downspouts and driveway drains. Toledo residents are required to disconnect downspouts and driveway drains that flow directly into Toledo’s sanitary sewers.
Plant a rain garden. Rain gardens planted in low areas can catch and slow storm water from downspouts and impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots and roads. For additional information, visit the Rain Garden Initiative.
Get involved. The Toledo Waterways Initiative (TWI) has a Community Program Advisory Committeefor the program as a whole. To join this group, please e-mail the TWI or call 419-720-0929.
Do your part. Remember that storm sewers, ditches and streams are meant to transport water. Do not dispose of grass clippings, leaves and other debris in the waterways, as doing so is detrimental and may contribute to flooding.
Use a rain barrel. Rain barrels are typically 55- to 60-gallon recycled food barrels modified to accept rainwater from downspouts. Residents connect rain barrels to a disconnected downspout, collecting roof runoff when it rains. Water collected in a rain barrel is not safe to drink but can be used to water gardens and lawns. Because rain barrels are intended to overflow during the rainy season, residents are encouraged to place rain barrels on grass and garden surfaces, so that storm water can be absorbed into the ground.
Rain barrels and composters are available year-round through the Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District. Contact 419-79-GREEN (419-794-7336).
Get Involved.
City of Toledo Public Utilities
Great Lakes Information Network
International Joint Commission
Lake Erie Clear Choices Clean Water
Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District
Ohio Water Development Authority
Ohio Water Environment Association
The Alliance for the Great Lakes
Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative
Program Progress
The Toledo Waterways Initiative (TWI) program encompasses more than 45 separate projects over the course of 18 years, at a total cost of $529.65 million. This bar shows the construction phase of the program is completed.