Educational Components

Under the EPA’s Phase II program, public education on seven elements is required.  To the maximum extent practicable, the Our Water partners address their responsibilities by promoting and supporting existing public involvement programs in addition to creating new mechanisms for public education.

The seven major elements of Phase II public education:

1. Education of the public about their responsibility and stewardship in their watershed. Citizens are personally responsible for water quality in their communities.  Taking care of the local waterways is everyone’s business and obligation.

2. Education of the public concerning the ultimate discharge point and potential impacts from the separate stormwater drainage system serving their place of residence. Storm drains go directly to streams, lakes, and rivers.  They DO NOT go to a waste water treatment plant; anything that is dumped or blown into the street goes DIRECTLY to the storm drain which goes DIRECTLY to the local water bodies.

3. Education of the public on the availability, location and requirements of facilities for disposal or drop-off of household hazardous wastes, travel trailer sanitary wastes, chemicals, grass clippings, leaf litter, animal wastes, and motor vehicle fluids. Hazardous wastes, travel trailer sanitary wastes, chemicals, grass clippings, leaf litter, animal wastes, and motor vehicle fluids can contribute to polluting our local water if not disposed of properly.  Do you know how to dispose of each of these products?

4. Education of the public regarding acceptable application and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers. Improper application and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers can contribute to the growth of algae in our local water bodies.  If too much algae grows, our fish will not have enough oxygen to live.

5. Education of the public concerning preferred cleaning materials and procedures for residential car washing. When you wash your car at home, everything on it can go directly into storm drains and then to our local water bodies.

6. Encouragement of public reporting of the presence of illicit discharges or improper disposal of materials into a stormwater drainage system. If you witness illegal dumping contact your local police or 911. 

7. Education of the public concerning management of riparian land to protect water quality. Proper management of coastal property and land adjacent to a water body (i.e. riparian land) is vital for protecting water quality.

More Information

Overview

What is NPDES?

Why is NPDES needed?

Who's Involved

Decision-Making Strucure

Educational Components