MNDOT Holds Meeting On Problem Of Storm Water Infiltrating Lake Superior

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By KBJR News 1

Story Published: Apr 23, 2008 at 9:31 AM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2008 at 9:31 AM CDT

Storm water infiltrating Lake Superior is a serious environmental concern and Tuesday night in a federally mandated meeting city and state experts from around the region gathered to discuss the problem.

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Duluth and Proctor along with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Lake Superior College, and St. Louis County participated in the meeting.

The goal was to gather comments on storm water pollution and outline the problems it can cause.

"It picks up all the pollutants along the way whether it's sand, salt, grass clippings, fertilizer, oil, and it does not get treated."

One of the ways the organizations are working to curtail storm water infiltration is through educating the public on what they can do to help.

"When you wash your vehicle do it on the lawn, when you cut your grass keep the clippings in the lawn. Don't be sweeping street sweepings back in the street collect it and put it in your garbage."

The city of Duluth has about 300 miles of storm sewer lines and nine-thousand catch basins that they clean on a regular basis.

The meeting was an annual event required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

View Oldest Comments First

Thursday, Apr 24 at 7:43 AM Thomas R Torongo wrote ...

It should be noted that the Clean Water Act has required Municipal Seperate Storm Water System permits (MS4) for urbanized areas. Some of the inovations will use oil water seperators and chambered storm sewer units that will provide treatment. People need to realize that what they throw in the streets and ditches eventualy ends up in our recreational and drinking water sources. The real solution is no pollution.

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