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The Water Column: Fall 2025

Stormwater Updates

Collage highlighting stormwater structures with text "Stormwater Awareness Week, October 1st-7th."
  • The OEPA is currently working on the next Small MS4 Permit, with a draft permit expected to be released in October. At this time, permit renewal is expect to occur April 1, 2026. Stay tuned for more information as details become available. 
  • The OEPA is also working on updating the Ohio Rainwater and Land Development Manual. Updates will include modernizing propietary and non-propietary BMPs. This update is expected to be released in the Spring/Summer of 2026. 
  • Save the Date: The Ohio Stormwater Conference will be held once again at Kalahari Waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio from May 6th thru 8th. 
  • Ohio Stormwater Awareness week returns Oct. 1st - 7th. Visit our Facebook page for daily stormwater updates 

 

Report a Stormwater Concern

Following comments from the USEPA, the JSWCD has created the "Report a Stormwater Concern" portal where the public may share input or comments about the SWMP, Land Disturbance Complaints, Illicit Discharge Complaints, or Flooding Concerns (urbanized areas). Municipalities of the Jefferson County & Others MS4 group are encourage to share the link to their own website. All input received will be reviewed by the JSWCD.  To visit the portal, click here.

 

Salt Spreader Calibration Training

A snowplow spreading salt on a snow-covered rural road near mailboxes, surrounded by trees.

The Jefferson SWCD & Jefferson County Engineering Department will be hosting a salt spreader calibration training at 9am on Wednesday November 5th, at the Jefferson County Engineer's Garage. This event is open to all Jefferson County village and township employees who perform snow & ice removal. This training will provide attendees the knowledge to calibrate their own salting equipment. Formal invitations to follow at a later date.

 

Annual Stormwater Training

Each year, municipal employees are required to partake in some form of stormwater related training. To assist municipalities, the JSWCD offers various training opportunities. 

  • Self-paced Training: municipal employees can elect to watch any of the 3 available self-paced videos. These videos range from 14 to 22 minutes long, and employees only need to watch 1 video to satisfy the training requirement. To earn credit, the employee must enter their name and the municipality they work for following the video. 
  • Group Training: municipalities can opt to partake in group training session either on their own or with assistance from the JSWCD. Training options include watching videos from our online library, group participation in an annual facility inspection, attending JSWCD sponsored events, or the local municipality may create their own training event. Regardless of what you choose, it is important to record the names of all employees who participate. 

Visit the Municipal Operations Portal to learn more about annual stormwater training. 

 

Drought Status

Once again, several counties in the Upper Ohio Valley are currently experiencing drought conditions thanks to a dry August. With little rainfall expected in the monthly forcast, no relief is anticipated. To track drought conditions, visit drought.gov.

U.S. Drought Monitor map showing drought conditions in the Northeast, with yellow and tan areas indicating dryness and drought.
Updated Sept. 2, 2025

 

Autumn Seeding

A lawn sprinkler spraying water over grass.
Irrigate newly seeded areas when rain is insufficient. 

As we transition into cooler weather, this is a reminder to apply your grass seed  before it's too late. October 15th is the last day to plant grass seed in our region if you want a healthy vegetative cover going into winter. Select a seed blend that best serves the purpose of the site, prepare the soil, apply the appropriate rate of seed and fertilizer, and remember to irrigate if rainfall is insufficient. More information can be found here in Ch. 5.8 of the Ohio R&LDM.

 

Operations & Maintenance Plan Refresh

An updated version of your community's Stormwater O&M Plan is in the works. Once the OEPA releases details of the new MS4 permit, any applicable updates will put into the O&M Plan. In addition to MS4 Permit updates, an overall refresh of tracking forms and maps will be included. The JSWCD will be contacting communities over the winter to make any necessary adjustments. 

 

Upcoming JSWCD Events

  • District Supervisor Election: Early Voting - Beings Sept. 29th, open daily 8am-4:30pm, JSWCD Office
  • Annual Meeting - October 27th at St. Florian Hall. Call (740) 264-9790 to RSVP
U.S. Drought Monitor map showing drought conditions in the Northeast, with yellow and tan areas indicating dryness and drought.
Drought Status as of Sept 2nd
A storm drain covered with fallen leaves and pine needles on a street.
Remember to clean catch basins as the leaves begin to drop.
Wet pavement with muddy runoff, large dirt mound, construction vehicle, and overcast sky.
Don't let your job site look like this! Proper BMP installation is key.
A covered structure storing items under a blue tarp, with a red truck and a yellow snowplow attachment nearby.
Properly covering salt piles is the first step at reducing salt usage and waste.
Cars leak oil into stormwater, affecting wildlife. "Where Stormwater Flows, Everything Goes." EPA.
U.S. Drought Monitor map showing drought conditions in the Northeast, with yellow and tan areas indicating dryness and drought.
A storm drain covered with fallen leaves and pine needles on a street.
Wet pavement with muddy runoff, large dirt mound, construction vehicle, and overcast sky.
A covered structure storing items under a blue tarp, with a red truck and a yellow snowplow attachment nearby.
Cars leak oil into stormwater, affecting wildlife. "Where Stormwater Flows, Everything Goes." EPA.
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