Picture this: you’re out walking the dog when you notice a dark substance flowing into a nearby storm drain along the sidewalk. It mixes with a puddle of water in a pothole, and there’s a distinct rainbow sheen on the surface. What do you do?
Exactly how this write-up began: take a picture. If possible, try to determine where the flow is coming from and take another photo. Documenting the issue is important because it helps local authorities investigate and address the problem quickly.
Anything that enters a storm drain can travel directly to the nearest creek. Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not routed to treatment plants where pollution can be removed. That means substances like oil or chemicals can end up in local waterways.
According to the Rogue Basin Water Contacts List, you can report concerns to your city or county’s public works department. You may also contact the Rogue Valley Council of Governments’ (RVCOG) Natural Resources Department and/or the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Please see the complete Rogue Basin Water Contacts List (located toward the bottom of the webpage under “Documents”) and the Water Quality Concerns – Who to Call one-pager for more information. For major spills—especially those with an oil sheen—contact the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) immediately at 1-800-452-0311.
