New Initiative To Assist Parma Residents With Stormwater Run-Off

Parma City officials say a new initiative by Cleveland Metroparks and West Creek Preservation Committee is a win-win situation in addressing the issue of rainwater run-off.  The two groups have launched the program in the City of Parma to assist residents when water runs off rooftops, roads and parking lots, also known as stormwater run-off.

“With the potential unveiling of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s stormwater management program, this voluntary project will prepare residential properties for reductions in their stormwater utility fee,” said Parma Mayor Dean DePiero.  “I’m all in favor of giving the West Creek Residential Stormwater Retrofit project the city’s stamp of approval.”

Cleveland Metroparks received nearly $300,000 from the U.S. Environmental Project Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant program to design and construct stormwater retrofits along residential streets adjacent to West Creek Reservation.  Cleveland Metroparks is providing over $80,000 of in-kind match and Sewer District is providing $30,000.  The upland areas surrounding the Reservation are primarily medium-density housing, which includes many roofs, roads and driveways, also known as impervious surfaces.  These hard surfaces do not allow water to sink into the ground, which results in higher amounts of run-off carrying pollutants along with it. 

“If a resident watches where the water goes during a rainstorm, they would likely see it fall into gutters or run down the driveway and into storm drains,” explained West Creek Preservation Committee Executive Director David Lincheck.  “What residents might not realize is that in this neighborhood, the water –and everything it carries- actually comes out a pipe at the end of these streets and flows directly into tributaries to West Creek.”

The project partners plan to hold a meeting this fall targeted to residents adjacent to West Creek.  It will provide information about stormwater retrofit practices and to gauge the interest of the residents in having practices installed on their property.  Practices will be designed during the winter with conceptual plans presented in 2012.