Village Contacts

Stormwater Management

Quick Links

Annual Report

Annual MS4 Report- 2024

Learn More

Ordinance

Ordinance updating the Village of Galena’s stormwater regulations as part of its MS4 permit.

Learn More

Program

Comprehensive Storm water management regulations of the Village of Galena

Learn More

Permit

Ohio EPA Facility Permit

Learn More

Protecting Galena’s Waterways-Together

Quarterly Update from Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District
Rain is Your Resource – Soak it in!

The rainy season – and Spring – are upon us! Help rain work in harmony with your land by managing the natural resources available to you in your yard. Rain barrels, rain gardens, and rain-loving native plants are all great avenues for capturing rain. Capturing rain is also a great way to reduce soil erosion, and prevent dirt from washing into our waterways, where it can harm wildlife. Celebrate Earth Month and Ohio Native Plant Month by adopting one of these practices in your own backyard!

Rain barrels
Rain barrels are a tried-and-true method for conserving water, with very little effort! Use a rain barrel to collect and store water that runs off your roof and would normally be directed to the street or yard. You can use the collected rainwater to water your lawn, gardens, or even wash your car. It’s a great way to save money and reduce your water usage. Your plants and flowers will love it!
Rain-loving plants

We encourage the use of native plants for many reasons, one being that they evolved with our soils and climate, so they are better suited for them. Their deep roots keep soil in place, transport nutrients, and absorb more water than non-natives. Many natives thrive in wet conditions. Nurseries that specialize in natives can tell you which plants like rain more than others. Often times, rain-loving plants can be utilized in place of a rain garden. Feeling ambitious? Click here to find resources on building a rain garden to capture even more water from your roof.

By choosing native over non-native plants, you are joining in on the effort to restore balance to our natural world. Click here for a list of local nurseries that sell native plants.

Why is stormwater management important to the Village of Galena?

The Village owns and maintains a system of ditches, gutters, inlets, and pipes that are designed to carry stormwater runoff away from streets and buildings.  Storm drains located at low points along the sides of streets, take the water into underground pipes that can be several hundred feet long and lead to outlets along streams, creeks, ponds, and lakes.

Unlike sanitary sewer systems, the storm sewer system does not lead to a treatment plant. Storm drains are a completely different system than sanitary sewers.

Stormwater runoff becomes a major problem when it picks up garbage, debris, sediment, chemicals, automotive fluids, fertilizers, leaves, and other pollutants from parking lots, yards, village streets, house roofs, etc. This type of pollution is called non-point source (NPS) pollution because it is not from anyone specific source.

Six minimum control measures
The Village is required to submit an annual report to Ohio EPA that demonstrates how the Village addressed each of these minimum control measures

Public education and outreach

Distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted stormwater runoff can have on water quality and measures they can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.

Illicit discharge detection and elimination

Developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit (illegal) discharges to the storm sewer system such as improper disposal of waste.

Post-construction site runoff control

Managing stormwater runoff and pollution from land development and redevelopment areas after the construction process is completed, concerning permanent facilities such as designed retention basins, ponds and swales.

Public participation and involvement

Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in activities associated with stormwater pollution reduction and prevention.

Construction site runoff control

Managing sediment, pollution and excessive runoff from construction sites.

Pollution prevention and good housekeeping

Managing municipal government operations to reduce pollution.

There are multiple reasons why everyone should be concerned about stormwater, including its effects on public health and environmental quality, and economic impacts
Stormwater falling on Galena’s geographical area

It drains toward Little Walnut and Big Walnut Creeks and ultimately Hoover Reservoir, which is the daily water supply for some 500,000 people. Aside from the human health impacts, the cost to each citizen for drinking water purification increases as water quality decreases.

Galena is well known for its parks, trails and open spaces, which also include our many waterways

Aside from the practical aspect of people wanting to keep these areas attractive places to be around, dirty stormwater runoff can harm fish and other wildlife living in and around the creeks and lakes

Village of Galena is required by state and federal laws to actively do its part to reduce stormwater pollution in order to protect and improve waterways. The penalties for non-compliance would be costly.

Here are some things that you can do to help prevent stormwater pollution
Common household contributions to stormwater pollution
  • Vehicle drips and leaks (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid) particularly on paved areas
  • Incorrect disposal of paints, cleaning fluids, and other chemical agents
  • Overuse of lawn fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides
  • Pick up litter.

What is the Village doing to protect the waterways from changes that occur with land development?

The Village has developed a stormwater code that sets the standards for stormwater management and to maintain uniformity in the design standards for land development projects. Such projects undergo engineering and technical compliance reviews throughout the project development process, from design through construction. These plans and designs are scrutinized by the Planning and Zoning Commission during the application process.

View Stormwater Code
Only rain belongs in the drain
Report illegal storm drain dumping and stream pollution

To report an illegal discharge, call the Galena village hall at (740) 965-2484, or use the online reporting form.

What is an illegal discharge?

Storm drains are designed to handle stormwater runoff only and do not provide treatment to water or other substances that enter the system. The Village of Galena is responsible for managing its storm drain system within the municipality. Public education and participation in reporting sightings or evidence of suspicious substances being dumped down storm drains or directly into our local creeks is an important part in preventing water pollution. Odors, unnatural colors or dead fish are signs that something harmful has entered the water.

As part of our Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program, citizens who suspect that they have witnessed illegal dumping into a storm drain or water pollution should report it to the Village offices either by phone or email. If you are not sure whether an illegal discharge has occurred, please report it and we will determine whether any further enforcement action is required.

What are Some Examples of Illicit Discharges?

Proper disposal of common household chemicals and products is important to prevent pollution of our local waterways. Under no circumstances should any of the following (or other chemicals) be disposed of by pouring or placing in a storm drain or directly into a local waterway:

  • “Gray water,” such as laundry, shower, or kitchen waste water.

  • Paints, solvents, cleaning products and other toxic household substances.

  • Gasoline, motor oil, brake fluid, engine coolant (antifreeze) and other toxic automotive products.

  • Septic tank pump-out and other types of human or animal waste.

  • Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural products.

  • Leaves, grass clippings or yard waste of any kind.

What are Some Visible Effects of an Illicit Discharge?

  • An unnatural color in the water, such as red, white or brown.

  • An oil sheen floating on the water.

  • Floatables such as toilet paper, or suds.

  • A foul or unnatural odor.

  • Dead fish or other aquatic life.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do storm sewers work?

The storm drainage system helps prevent roads and land from being innundated by diverting rainwater into nearby waterways. During rainstorms, water runs off of buildings, roads, and other hard surfaces, picking up trash, impurities and pollutants along the way. The water and pollutants flow into storm drains and through underground pipes directly into the nearest stream, pond or water reservoir.

What about the drains inside my house?

The drains in your house are part of a different system, the wastewater system. Dirty water from inside your home flows into underground pipes that are connected to the Village’s wastewater treatment plant. The water from your home is cleaned before it is released into Big Walnut Creek.

What are Ohio EPA's MS4 regulations?

Ohio EPA’s website about the MS4 Program.

What should I do with old paint?

The Delaware-Knox-Marion-Morrow Solid Waste District (DKMM) conducts events throughout the year for disposing of materials that should not be thrown away in the regular weekly trash. These include materials like old paint, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and electronics such as televisions and computers. Check the DKKM website for dates and locations of these collection events and for the list of acceptable materials, or call DKKM at 740-368-1700.

What should I do with used motor oil?

Most retailers that sell motor oil, including NAPA, Advance Auto, AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto and Walmart Tire & Lube Express, will accept motor oil for recycling. Many automotive repair shops will also accept oil, provided it is clean. Used motor oil can’t be recycled if it’s mixed with other liquids like antifreeze or brake fluid. Keep your used motor oil in a clean, leakproof container like a plastic jug or bottle, and make sure the container is clearly labeled identifying the contents.

What should I do with chemicals like insecticides, pesticides, herbicides?

The Delaware-Knox-Marion-Morrow Solid Waste District (DKMM) conducts events throughout the year for disposing materials that should not be thrown away in the regular weekly trash. These include materials like old paint, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, electronics such as televisions and computers. Check the DKKM website for dates and locations of these collection events and for the list of acceptable materials, or call DKKM at 740-368-1700.call DKKM at 740-368-1700.

What should I do with old electronics like computers, printers and televisions?

Electronics contain heavy metals which can contaminate drinking water if not handled properly. Electronics should be dismantled by a professional to be recycled into new electronic equipment. They should not be thrown into the regular trash.

The Delaware-Knox-Marion-Morrow Solid Waste District website contains a list of facilities that accept electronics. Or, call DKKM at 740-368-1700.

Also, Best Buy has been accepting electronics, appliances and fitness equipment through their Best Buy recycling program.

How can I get rid of old tires?

The wrong things to do are letting them sit on your property, dumping them along a road, or putting them in someone’s dumpster. The best way is to take them to a business that sells and installs tires, or at a licensed disposal facility, where they will likely charge a disposal fee to cover their costs. Disposal of tires is regulated by the Ohio EPA. For further information, see Ohio EPA’s Scrap Tire Cleanup Program.

What should I do if I see someone dumping something down a street drain?

If you observe or suspect some sort of pollution has occurred – even if you’re not sure – should be reported to the Galena village administrative office. You may call 740-965-2484 or use the convenient online reporting form. Pollution can be any type of trash or harmful chemicals that are dangerous to people and the environment such as:

  • Dumping used oil in storm drains
  • Throwing trash or debris along a roadside
  • Putting leaves or grass clipping in street
  • Piping any wastewater directly to the stream
  • Disposing of trash in storm drains or waterways
Other Information about Stormwater Management