PublicHealth

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27 October 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT: Chana Goussetis, Health Communications Specialist, 303-441-1457

 


Keep it Clean Partnership Awarded for Outstanding Stormwater Management


Boulder, CO - The Keep it Clean Partnership (KICP) has been recognized nationally by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding water quality achievements. The Clean Water Act Award specifically recognizes KICP's creative and collaborative approach to creating cost-effective stormwater management solutions.


"The Water Quality Control Division is pleased to have communities in Colorado recognized for their efforts in developing programs to reduce impacts to our streams, lakes and wetlands from urban stormwater runoff.  The Keep it Clean Partnership communities have been a valuable resource to Colorado in developing innovative and effective public education resources about keeping our waterways clean," said Steve Gunderson, director of the Water Quality Control Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.


KICP includes the communities of Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Superior, and Boulder County. It strives to meet permit conditions set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and addresses broader water quality and watershed issues in the Boulder Creek and St. Vrain watersheds, while educating residents.


"We are excited to be recognized for the work we have done so far," said Janice Lopitz, Keep It Clean Partnership Coordinator. "But we have more to do, and we need everyone's help to keep our waterways clean."


Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or snowmelt flows over parking lots or streets. The water picks up trash, oil, dirt, and other pollutants and carries them to the storm drain system, which empties directly to local creeks and streams.

Other common pollutants that go untreated into Colorado's lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands include bacteria-carrying pet waste, lawn fertilizer, and vehicle maintenance items like motor oil, petroleum, antifreeze, transmission fluid, engine cleaner, and battery acid.

"The best thing you can do is to be aware and tell others that storm drains connect directly to our creeks. It's up to all of us to make sure our daily activities do not contribute to water pollution", said Lopitz.

For more information about the Keep it Clean Partnership stormwater pollution prevention efforts and what people can do to protect our waterways, visit www.KeepitCleanPartnership.org. For more information about the EPA award, visit http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/2008-ncwa-winners.htm .

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Background

Keep it Clean Partnership 2007 Statistics

Community Outreach and School Education

  • 78,036 brochures distributed

  • 43,847 Get to Know Your H2O school curriculum take-home materials handed out

  • 5,916 students and 162 classrooms attended school-based education programs

  • 828 storm drains labeled with the message, “Dispose no Waste, Drains to Creek”

  • 1,975 door hangers distributed as part of the storm drain marking program

  • 1,814 residents visited the stormwater booths at several community events

  • 32,000 visits to www.KeepitCleanPartnership.org

  • 416,006 cars travel past the ‘KICP’ tributary signs each day

  • 800 posters of H2O Jo with water quality protection messages posted in local buses


Programs for Private and Public Sectors

  • 208 restaurant and 127 vehicle service facility stormwater pollution prevention evaluations completed

  • 320 municipal employees received training

  • 40 municipal facilities visited

  • 7 state-permitted municipal facilities visited

  • 4 newsletters mailed to 500 municipal employees


What People Can Do

Residents

Watch a video

A Ride Through the Storm Drain: The Adventures of H20 Jo


Sponsor a stream team

Commit to take care of a segment of creek.


Host a neighborhood water stewardship meeting

Schedule three nights with neighbors to learn water about protection activities from a member of the KICP team. Learn about local water resources and take actions to reduce water pollution.


Host a speaker at a homeowner’s meeting

Schedule a water presentation by a KICP team member for an HOA meeting.


Teachers

Visit the KICP website to see the available resources. Schedule a water presentation for the classroom or a puppet show for the school. Sign up for the annual teacher training. Check out a kit or resource.


Businesses

Call Boulder County Public Health Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) Program to schedule a pollution prevention education and technical assistance visit. Call 303-786-PACE (7223) or visit www.pacepartners.com.


Construction Operators

Follow the law and keep sediment on the site. Sign up for contractor training and certification.