Stormwater
Gary, like other municipalities across this nation, must manage stormwater to protect people’s health and our environment. Stormwater is runoff from a rainstorm or melting snow. Urban stormwater runs off roofs, streets, and parking lots into sewers, storm drains and ultimately, our rivers and lakes. We all live in a watershed. A watershed is the land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake. We need to keep our yards, driveways, streets, and business operations clean so that the storm water that flows across our land does not end up polluting the Grand Calumet or Little Calumet Rivers and Lake Michigan.
Improper storage and handling of oils, fuels, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, industrial and commercial chemicals and wastes can expose these pollutants to storm water that washes into drains and waterways. Homeowners, business owners, and municipalities can protect water quality by keeping their properties clean and free of litter and managing chemicals and wastes properly.
