Prevent Pollution
Some of the things we can do to help prevent pollution
in the Rouge River include:
• Lawn Care - Keep fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
off paved surfaces and out of drainage paths. When
choosing a fertilizer, select a slow-release formula.
Fertilize in September or October to promote root growth
rather than top growth.
• Automobile Maintenance - Direct polluted wash water away
from streets and storm drains. Instead of washing your car
in the driveway or street, wash your car on your lawn or
better - go to a car wash.
• Animal Waste - Clean up animal waste before it washes
into the storm drain. You can throw it in the trash or
flush it down the toilet, preventing bacteria from
entering the Rouge.
• Home Care - Disconnect downspouts from sewer systems and
direct them to vegetated areas away from building
foundations. When cleaning up spills and leaks do not use
your hose as a broom.
• Toxic Materials - Properly dispose of household
hazardous waste and call your local community to find out
if they have a collection day. An even better solution is
to use non-toxic alternatives whenever possible.
• Get Involved - Citizens can also join Friends of the
Rouge and/or participate in Rouge River Watch, storm drain
stenciling, or other Rouge Friendly Neighborhood
activities. Call Friends of the Rouge at (313) 792-9900
for information.
These voluntary actions will prevent pollutants from
entering the Rouge River. Making these small changes in
individual and household behaviors will make a big
improvement in the water quality of the Rouge.
For More Information
Friends of the Rouge
Cyndi Ross
(313) 792-9900
4901 Evergreen
Dearborn MI 48128
Rouge River Project
Kelly Cave
Rouge River Project Director
(734) 326-3936
Watershed Related Links
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Rouge River Watershed
Mailing Lists
Johnson Creek Protection
Join this Mailing List if you
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Notices for the Johnson Creek Protection Group.
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Earth Day 2008
Catch basins – what are they? Catch basins serve to remove rain
water from streets, and yards and are part of the storm sewer system
which transports water directly to our local creeks and rivers. This
year Northville Township, Weeblo's Den 1, Pack 712 participated in a
storm drain decaling project to promote resident awareness of where
these catch basins are located in their neighborhood streets. Thank
you Lin Heiberger for your effort in organizing the group of
volunteers which led to the success of the day!
If you have a group that would like to learn more and participate
in a decal project – contact Jill Rickard at (248) 348-5820.
Rouge Rescue - Johnson Creek Celebration
Northville Township will again host Rouge Rescue/Johnson Creek
Celebration on June 7, 2008 at Fish Hatchery Park. The event
will run from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM We will have a stocked
trout pond for fishing (bring your poles!), and children activities.
The event is to promote environmental education on storm water quality
while having fun!
Flyer
Failing Septics Contaminate Our Creek
and River
Following the recent testing by the ARC and MDEQ, Northville
Township has applied for and received a grant to investigate the
sources of human contamination in our creek and river.
Environmental Consulting and Technology will be the consultant working
with the Township on this project. You can expect to see them
sampling the local drainage courses in the spring of this year.
The goal of the project is to identify problem areas and possible
corrections such as sanitary sewer extensions, or illicit discharge
removal.
Signs of a Failing Septic System
- Odors, surfacing sewage, wet spots or lush vegetation on or near
the drainfield.
- Plumbing or septic tank backups.
- Slow-draining fixtures.
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system.
If you notice any of these signs it is imperative that you contact
Wayne County’s Environmental Health Division. Andrzej Borek or Matt
Kobylarz can assist you in determining how to correct the problem.
They may be reached at (734) 727-7448. Ignoring the problem doesn’t
just affect you and your property, it contaminates our local
waterways.
 Private Storm Sewers and Detention Ponds
In Northville Township the homeowners associations are responsible
for the maintenance of the private storm sewers as well as their
detention ponds. A maintenance plan should include a routine schedule
cleaning storm sewers as well as the ponds. Storm sewers should be
jetted (removal of sediment build up which can block the flow of
water) as well as video inspection for pipe damage. Structures (catch
basins, manholes, outlet pipes) should be reviewed for damage as well
as accessibility (not buried). Ponds should have litter and sediment
removed. The stone filters around the outlet structure should also be
inspected. The stone filters are required to have clean washed stone
so if vegetation, mud, etc, are present it is time to replace.
Algae in Your Ponds?
Do you have an algae problem with your pond? Algae growth is a sign
of high nutrient loading. It is imperative to utilize low phosphorus
slow release nitrogen fertilizers. Excessive growth of vegetation
chokes our lakes and rivers. Lawn services as well as hardware stores
provide for an earth friendly fertilizer option. This is especially
important in our lake communities. Last year alone the excessive
nutrient loading caused by fertilizing resulted in two calls to the
Township Fire Department! Hazmat teams as well as staff from the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality responded. Definitely a
sign of the damage caused by the use of the wrong type of fertilizer!
More information can be obtained by calling Engineering at (248)
662-0497.
Are
You Adjacent to the Johnson Creek or Rouge River?
Sediment can come from several sources including construction
activities and agricultural practices. Did you realize that it
can also come from stream bank erosion? Stream bank erosion can
occur during rain events during which high volumes of water travel
quickly through the creek beds. Urbanized areas are know for
these types of flashy conditions.
In an attempt to decrease the flashiness of our creeks and rivers,
Northville Township requires developers to follow Wayne County's
method for detaining and releasing storm water. As a home owner
you can also assist in keeping a vegetative buffer around the banks of
your creek or river front. If you notice erosion problems
contact the township for ideas on how to stabilize the bank.
ARC
Northville Township is a member of the ARC – the Alliance of the
Rouge Communities. Currently the ARC is assisting the Township
and other communities with a Watershed Management Plan Update.
This is a large undertaking and provides the public with an
opportunity to express their concerns and comments. Three Public
Comment periods will be held during the summer/fall of 2008. It
is our hope that you will participate in these meetings so that we can
all be a part of improving water quality.
What is a Watershed?
A Watershed is the area of land that is drained by a river system
or by a network of river systems. The Rouge River Watershed includes
all of the land area and waterways that drain into the Rouge River.
The Rouge River Watershed is divided into Sub watersheds. Northville
Township is located in the Upper and Middle 1 Sub watersheds of the
Rouge River Watershed.
Household Hazardous Waste Day
The City of Northville and Northville Township will be hosting
household hazardous waste day! The events are free to residents
of these communities and will take place a date to be determined in
September, 2008 in the City of Northville. More information may
be obtained by contacting the City of Northville or by
visiting the City
of Northville's website.
Maps
Rouge River Watershed
Map
Sub Watersheds Map
Northville Township
44405 Six Mile Rd.
Northville, MI. 48168
(248) 348-5800
Contact the Township Webmaster by
clicking here.
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