Educational Events & Activities
Storm Water Education While Hudson has implemented an aggressive storm water management action plan, there is much citizens can do to help keep our waters clean. The City has developed new resources to inform and educate the public about how to help keep our water clean. Clean storm water starts at home.
"On The Road to Clean Water" is this year's storm water theme. Non-point source pollution is a fancy term for polluted stormwater runoff. As both rain and snow-melt flow across the land, pollution particles are picked up and carried to our lakes and streams. As stormwater flows over driveways, lawns, and parking lots, it picks up debris, chemicals, pet waste, leaching septic waste, dirt and other pollutants. Stormwater can flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a stream, wetland or lake. Anything that enters a storm sewer is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for fishing, swimming, and drinking. During the winter season, adopt the 4 "R's" as used in application of salting, such as the Right Source of Salt, the Right Rate (don't use excessively or exclusively), the Right Time (used when temperatures and sunlight will allow a little bid of salt to melt a lot of snow and ice) and the Right Place (use only in critical areas such as slopes, steps or high traffic areas as well as areas shadowed by the sun.) After the storm, work to assure any residual deposits are swept up and disposed of properly.
Events and Activities
- Environment Awareness Committee (EAC) will be at the Hudson Farmer's Market on June 16th and August 18th for the Community days this summer sharing tips for Storm water.
- Come Join EAC on Sunday, September 22nd from 9:00 am to 1 pm for the Green on the Green. There will be information on rain barrels at the event.
How Can I help keep storm water clean at my home?
Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste
Hazardous household chemicals that are not disposed of properly can be carried by rainwater into nearby lakes and streams. ReWorks offers a Hazardous Household Recycling Center (HHWRC) for Summit County residents in nearby Stow. The HHWRC is open every Thursday from June 7 through September 27.
Storm Water Rules and Regulations
For More information about the programs listed above or other programs in Summit County, contact the at 330-929-2871 .
Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners has many events and educational programs. Hudson is a member community.
Rainwater harvesting and infiltration-based practices increase the efficiency of our water supply system. Water collected in rainwater harvesting systems can be used for outdoor irrigation and some indoor uses and can significantly reduce municipal water use. Water infiltrated into the soil can recharge groundwater, an important source of water in the United States.
The City of Hudson has a few rainbarrels for sale for $40 which provides you with a rain barrel and diverter. Please contact the Public Works Department for more information (330) 342-1750 or email a request to Sonya Mottram.
To learn more about rainbarrels, please plan to attend the City's Green on Green event on September 22, 2018 on the Gazebo Green. The Environmental Awareness Committee will be selling tickets for the Rain Barrel Art Raffle. Tickets are available June 15th - September 22nd for $1.00 each.
Available space must be confirmed
prior to payment.
A minimum convenience fee of $1 or 3% of your total will be charged.
The 2018 Rain Barrel Art project was designed by Mackenie Wakeling and Abby Bell, graduating seniors from Hudson High school.
Rain gardens are a beautiful addition to any lot and will provide curb appeal and other benefits. During a rainstorm, rain gardens help to reduce flooding problems by collecting and slowing down water, allowing the water to infiltrate slowly, over a 24- to 48-hour period. A rain garden collecting runoff from a 1,000-square foot roof area in Summit County can filter over 19,000 gallons of rainwater annually. Rain gardens also help to control erosion and sediment loss because native plants have extremely long roots, some up to 15 feet long, that hold the soil in place and filter out pollutants. Pick up afor free at the Public Works Department at 1769 Georgetown Road.
Plant Native Plants
Native plants require little or no fertilizer because they thrive in local soil conditions so you will not only save money on chemical applications, but you will improve storm water quality by keeping extra nutrients and pollutants out of our waterways. Improve your landscaping plan by including one of the native plant kits listed below. Summit Soil and Water Conservation District native plant kits are sold from January to March.
Healthy Yard/Soil Testing
The first and most important step for a healthy landscape plan is to build and maintain a healthy soil since soil is the foundation for a healthy yard. To grow well, your lawn needs soil with good texture, some key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and lime, and the right pH, (alkaline/acid balance).
It is extremely important to have your soil tested and check the pH. Grass grows best in a slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. You can add necessary amendments to achieve a good pH for grass growth. By having your soil tested for nutrients, you can avoid adding excess fertilizer, which costs money and ends up in the lakes and streams when it rains. Plants only take in the fertilizer that they need, and the rest will be wasted and harm the environment.
Composting is a simple, economical way to recycle your household scraps and yard trimmings into a nutritious meal for your soil and your landscape, not to mention the beneficial insects and microorganisms that will also feast on it. Learn more on how to start your own compost pile.
Trees improve stream quality and watershed health primarily by decreasing the amount of storm water runoff and pollutants that reaches our local waters. Trees reduce storm water runoff by capturing and storing rainfall in the canopy and releasing water into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. In addition, tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil. This helps to replenish our groundwater supply and maintain stream flow during dry periods.
The presence of trees also helps to slow down and temporarily store runoff, which further promotes infiltration and decreases flooding and erosion downstream. Trees and forests reduce pollutants by taking up nutrients and other pollutants from soils and water through their roots and by transforming pollutants into less harmful substances. In general, trees are most effective at reducing runoff from smaller, more frequent storms.
In addition to these storm water benefits, trees provide a host of other benefits such as improved air quality, reduced air temperatures in summer, reduced heating and cooling costs, increased property values, habitat for wildlife and recreation and aesthetic value.