Hamilton County Storm Water
District E-Newsletter
Winter 2023 Edition
Quarterly News & Updates from your Partners at the
Hamilton County Storm Water District
News & Highlights
NEW! Winter Featured Co-Permittee:
Sycamore Township
Check out this new section featuring co-permittees doing great work implementing stormwater friendly best management practices!
A good majority of the Co-Permittee public works facilities use eco/stormwater friendly products like beet juice. Sycamore Township uses a system where they can mix exactly what they need for a snow event. This helps the township only apply what they need, minimizing application of deicers and thus less pollutants getting into stormwater and snow/ice melt runoff. The picture above shows their storage tanks that are piped to an indoor mixing machine used to make custom mixes, pictured below.
Steve Reutelshofer, Road Superintendent for Sycamore Township, explains why this system works for them. "Our formula reduces the application rate by at least 25% and our results are much better by introducing the eco-friendly liquids (Beet Juice) to the salt. The introduction of eco-friendly liquids creates a bond between the roadway pavement and the snow/ice. This bond speeds up the cleanup and clearing process of the roads." He also explains that these benefits lead to cost savings for the township "...realized by less manhours, equipment time, equipment damage, fuel, and salt usage."
Through experience, they learned to tailor their formula based on the weather to achieve optimal, cost-effective results, says Steve. "We use a mix of 80% Brine and 20% Beet Juice for temperatures between 25 degree and 5 degrees. For Lower Temperatures, less than 5 degrees, we use a formula of 75% Brine, 5% Calcium Chloride and 20% Beet Juice." By adding eco/stormwater friendly ingredients and mixing exactly what they need, when they need it, Sycamore Township is a great example of proper implementation of stormwater friendly best management practices!
Winter Stormwater Best Practices
Salt Storage
Improper salt storage can be harmful to aquatic environments and can also lead to contaminated drinking water resources and infrastructure. It is important to manage salt piles properly to reduce the risk of contamination to local bodies of water and groundwater. Throughout most of Hamilton County the storm sewer and sanitary sewer are separate. This means the extremely salty water that washes off improperly stored salt piles is not treated at a wastewater treatment plant. 
Below are salt storage best practices that should be followed to ensure our natural resources are protected:

1.      Avoid locating salt piles within 100 feet of stormwater structures such as catch basins and ditches.
2.      Avoid locating salt piles within 300 feet of drywells. Drywells drain directly to groundwater, increasing the risk of contamination of a drinking water supply.
3.      Avoid locating salt piles in the 100-year flood plain or within 300 feet of surface waters.
4.      Store salt on an impervious surface such as asphalt or concrete.
5.      If possible, store salt inside a structure with a roof and walls.
6.      If using tarps to cover a salt pile, ensure the pile is completely covered and put back in place after each use.
7.      Install berms on the side of the pile that will be impacted by run-on from rain and snowmelt to divert water around the pile.
8.      Secure tarps to ensure high winds to do uncover the salt pile. For example, cinder blocks. 
For more information on proper salt storage, check out this comprehensive guide to all recommended methods of salt storage: Ohio Water Resources Council Salt Storage Guidelines
Street Sweeping for Water Quality
With the newest Small MS4 General Permit issued by Ohio EPA in 2021 came new TMDL Performance Standards for MS4 Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Programs. One way to satisfy this requirement is to implement a street sweeping program (no later than April 1, 2023) for prioritized areas with curbed streets at a minimum frequency of two (2) times per year.
If you are not currently sweeping streets, now is a great time to give this still under utilized bmp another look. If you do have a street sweeping program, consider increasing frequencies in early spring and late fall to improve your phosphorus removal rates, and look for opportunities to engage and educate the public on the water quality benefits of cleaner streets. 
Check out the full 1-page article here for more information and links to resources such as research material, a webinar about street sweeping, and a Street Sweeping Credit Calculator.
2023 Upcoming Events
Community Garden Development Training
January 11 - April 5
Classes run most Wednesday evenings (6-8pm) from January through April and are free to anyone interested. Topics the training covers include civic engagement, organic vegetable gardening, garden design, and construction techniques.
Visit the website for course details.
North American Snow Conference
April 16-19th
Led by the American Public Works Association, the 2023 Snow Conference has it all, from expert-led snow and ice education sessions to an exhibit floor full of vendors excited to show you the latest winter maintenance solutions for your community. Make plans now to join your peers and take advantage of everything the Snow Conference has to offer. Visit the APWA website for event details and registration.
Ohio Stormwater Conference
May 10-12th

The Ohio Stormwater Conference is an annual conference dedicated to advancing the knowledge and understanding of comprehensive stormwater and watershed management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, implementation and regulatory compliance. This year’s conference is held May 10-12, 2023 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center located in Sandusky, Ohio. The conference will provide updates on environmental issues, new technologies, regulatory information and pollution prevention. The 2023 Ohio Stormwater Conference is a great opportunity to strengthen your skills and knowledge in an intensive workshop setting with other colleagues.

The 2023 Ohio Stormwater Conference will be an in-person event, with an option to register for a virtual-only component. Visit the website here.
6th Annual Ohio Stormwater Awareness Week
October 1-7
Click here to learn about resources and how you can participate.
Storm Water District Partner's
Contact Information

Phone: (513) 946-4550

Phone: (513) 946-7800

Phone: (513) 772-7645