MISSION
STATEMENT

The Lorain Soil and Water Conservation District provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve the natural resources and environment in Lorain County.

Agricultural Center
42110 Russia Road
Elyria, OH 44035-6813
Phone: 440.326.5800
FAX: 440.326.5807

Lorain County PIPE

The Lorain County Public Information and Public Education (LCPIPE) work group is a county consortium of conservation organizations and local government agencies in Lorain County that share similar visions, missions and values. LCPIPE was formed in January 2008 by Joe Reitz, Engineering Manager for the City of Avon Lake, and the Lorain Soil and Water Conservation District.

LCPIPE engages in a county approach to increase public awareness to storm water issues and provides information and opportunities to protect our shared waters. PIPE is Minimum Control Measure 1 and 2 of our Stormwater permit and Ohio EPA Phase II regulatory requirements.

You can take part with LCPIPE programs by attending meetings. Partner involvement will steer the project focus, method and direction of the outreach. Participation at the meetings will direct the decision making process. LCPIPE meets the first Tuesday of each month; 1:00 p.m. at Lorain Soil & Water Offices, 42110 Russia Road, Elyria Ohio.

Our Mission

Lorain County Public Information and Public Education’s (LCPIPE) mission is to engage in a regional approach for Lorain County to comply with EPA-NPDES-Phase II requirements, to increase public awareness to storm water issues and provide information and opportunities to protect our shared waters within the County.

Environmental Survey

The Lorain County PIPE Committee is requesting your participation in a survey intended to review knowledge of storm (rain) water quality awareness. This questionnaire is part of the EPA mandated Public Information Public Education (P.I.P.E.) program for compliance with the Ohio EPA’s Stormwater Phase II compliance. Your answers to these questions will help with future educational programming to increase awareness of storm water quality. Please be assured that all answers will be held confidential and once submitted your names will not be associated with the answers provided.

You can mail or deliver the survey to the Lorain County Soil and Water Conservation District Office at 42110 Russia Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 – 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or the Avon Lake Engineering Department, 150 Avon Belden Road, Avon, Ohio 44012, or via an online questionnaire through the Avon Lake City web site at www.avonlake.org. You can download the LCPIPE survey questionnaire here (91 KB).

Thank you for taking the time to assist the Lorain County PIPE.

Lorain County PIPE – Theme For 2011
‘Pet Waste’

Dog Pet Waste is one of many small sources of pollution that can cumulatively have a big impact if left unmanaged and, with a large number of pets in Lorain County, a significant volume of waste is being generated daily.

Pet Waste contains bacteria and parasites, as well as organic matter and nutrients, notably nitrogen and phosphorous. The organic matter and nutrients contained in pet waste can degrade waste quality. When pet waste is washed into a surface water body, the waste decays, breaking down the organic matter in the waste, uses up dissolved oxygen and releases ammonia. Low oxygen levels, increased ammonia and warm summer water temperatures can kill fish.

Excess phosphorous and nitrogen added to surface waters can lead to cloudy, green water from accelerated algae and weed growth. Cat Decay of this extra organic matter can depress oxygen levels, killing organisms, and objectionable odors can also occur.

Managing pet waste properly is something that everyone can do to make a difference in their respective watersheds. Truly, proper individual actions result in significant water quality improvements when carried out. Unlike some forms of Stormwater pollutants, pet waste can be easily and economically managed by the individual.

With that said, then, specifically what can be done?

Trash It
The waste should be disposed of in a securely closed bag in the trash.

Leave It
If you leave the waste to decay in your yard, be sure it does not become a problem. To prevent water pollution, clean up areas near shallow wells, storm drains, ditches and watercourses. You can bury the waste directly in the yard. Dig a hole or trench that is 8 inches deep, away from any lake stream or well and cover with dirt.

Flush It
Your toilet is connected to a wastewater treatment system that is designed to properly manage and mitigate all of the hazards associated with human waste. It will also treat animal waste appropriately.

Spread the word with these brochures:

Doo The Right Thing (155KB PDF)

Pet Waste (132KB PDF)

Please… Pick Up My Poop (82KB PDF)

Don't Let Your Pet Pollute (495KB PDF)

Useful Links

LCPIPE provides the following links to increase public awareness of storm water issues and provide information and opportunities to protect our shared waters within the county.

Below are links to videos to help you understand what a watershed is and how to protect it.

What is a Watershed?

What can you do to protect your watershed?

Below are links to help you in your own backyard and within the community on backyard streams and healthy yards, landscaping and soils.

“Green” Lawn, Healthy Environment (1.9MB PDF)

Backyard Streams

What to Do with a Wet Backyard?

Good Housekeeping

Healthy Yard Clean Water Resources

Landscaping for Less

When to Get a Soil Test?