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ACHD Main Line
208-387-6100

Stormwater Quality
208-387-6250

Stormwater Outreach and Education

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Did You Know? When stormwater runs across hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and roadways, it can pick up pollutants like pet waste, lawn chemicals, and automobile fluids and carry them to the storm drain system which is directly connected to groundwater or surface waters like the Boise River.

What You Can Do? Here are some simple steps you can take to protect the storm drain system and downstream waterways where you live.

At Home

Dispose of litter in the trash
Compost > Recycle > Trash yard waste/debris
Eliminate irrigation runoff by not overwatering your yard
Dispose of wash water in the sink or indoor drain
Bag and trash pet waste

Properly use, store, and dispose of household hazardous waste – Watch the Hazardous Waste Video
Use lawn chemicals and ice melt sparingly and only when needed
Empty pool or spa water onto landscaped area when chlorine residual is zero.

Your Automobile

Dispose of litter like cigarette butts in the trash – not in the street
Retain wash water from vehicle washing or visit a car wash facility
Proper use, storage, and disposal of automobile fluids

Use drip pans when changing oil, antifreeze, or other automobile fluids
Use absorbent materials like kitty litter or saw dust to soak up automobile fluid spills and leaks, then sweep and dispose in the trash

Public Involvement

You can also help on the community level by participating in the following volunteer opportunities:

Take the Stormwater Management Plan Survey - Reviewing the Stormwater Management Plan and providing your feedback to our survey helps broaden our perspective and guides future updates to the Stormwater Management Plans.

Volunteer Marking Storm Drain Volunteer with the Storm Drain Marking Program - The Storm Drain Marking Program is always looking for volunteers to help bring awareness of the storm drain system. By applying "No Dumping, Drains to Waterways" markers near storm drain inlets, you are reminding every passerby that the storm drain system is designed for stormwater only.

Volunteer with the Adopt-A-Highway Program - The Adopt-A-Highway Program is accepting volunteers to cleanup litter and debris from the right-of-way.

See Additional Resources below to learn more about stormwater management and how you can help protect local waterways from polluted stormwater runoff.

Additional Resources

Decorative box Education for Kids

ACHD Stormwater Activity Book

Documents and Resources Webpage
Visit Stormwater Documents and Resources to access our list of factsheets, plans, manuals, reports, and more. You are encouraged to provide your feedback on our Phase I and Phase II Stormwater Management Program documents. Your responses help us improve our stormwater programs.

Partners For Clean Water

LOGO Partners for Clean Water ACHD is one of six agencies (ACHD, City of Boise, City of Garden City, Boise State University, Idaho Transportation Departments #3, and Drainage District #3) that make up the Partners for Clean Water. We work together to educate our community on stormwater management, water quality, and pollution prevention. Educating residents of the Treasure Valley on these important topics helps to reduce pollution and protect the health of the Boise River and other local waterways. Visit the Partners for Clean Water website.