FAQs • Trenton, MI • CivicEngage

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Engineering - Storm Water Public Education

1. Where does storm water go?: These pollutants within our watershed flow with storm water through the sewer system into creeks and drains and outfall into the Trenton Channel and Lake Erie. This type of pollution is called Storm Water Runoff Pollution and can be a major source of pollutants in our waterways that endanger wildlife, recreational use, and drinking water.

A watershed is a geographical area bounded by high elevation lines. Any rainwater falling into this geographical area will travel overland, into:

Creeks
Drains
Rivers
Storm Sewers
Ultimately into Lake Erie

Any runoff water in a watershed has no means to enter a neighboring watershed. The City of Trenton sheds water into the Blakely Drain, Frank and Poet Drain and the Trenton Channel. Both drains empty into Lake Erie in the City of Gibraltar.

3. What is Storm Water Runoff Pollution?: Storm water runoff refers to seasonal rainfall flows and snowmelts in the spring. It is very noticeable during a heavy rainstorm when large volumes of water drain off paved areas. Runoff pollution can happen at any time of the year when excessive water use from irrigation, car-washing, and other sources carries trash, lawn clippings and other urban pollutants into storm drains. Even automobiles leaking motor oil 20 miles inland can still pollute the lakes.

4. How is it different from other forms of water pollution?

Storm Water Runoff Pollution can include anything that washes into the storm drain from the community. Unlike water pollution linked to factories or sewage treatment plants; this type can come from:

City Streets
Construction Sites
Farms
Neighborhoods
Parking Lots

5. Where does Storm Water Runoff Pollution comes from?

Automotive leaks and spills
Disposal of used oil and other engine fluids down the storm drain
Improper disposal of cleaners, paint and paint removers
Metals in:
- Metal Plating
- Paint
- Rust
- Tires
- Vehicle Exhaust
Oil stains on parking lots and paved surfaces
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers from lawns, gardens, and farms
Soil erosion and dust debris from landscape and construction activities
Trash, lawn clippings, animal waste, and other organic matter

Waterways of the Great Lakes

The waterways of the Great Lakes begin in front of your home at the storm drains. The City's Storm Sewer and Drainage System are the uppermost part of the waterway and a major source of freshwater for the lakes.