Keep an eye out for Scout Troop 52 roaming the streets with decals, wire brushes and brooms in hand.  This brave troop is our first group of volunteers as part of an education and public participation campaign to remind all of us that storm water pollution begins at the storm drains on our streets.  The City of Fort Oglethorpe Stormwater Program will provide decals to individuals and groups who want to volunteer an afternoon to apply the decals to an area with the message:

ONLY RAIN! DOWN THE DRAIN!

In most areas of Fort Oglethorpe, rain washes down streets, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, yards, and roofs into the drain at the curb. The water enters a series of pipes which collect water from other neighborhoods, finally dumping directly into a nearby stream, creek, or wetland, which eventually leads to the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

Stormwater is not cleaned before it empties into our waterways. This means that lawn care bi-products (including grass clippings), automobile products such as antifreeze or oil, and other chemicals can enter the water through the storm sewers.  Soil from yards and construction sites or farm fields can turn water cloudy or turbid.  Cloudy water makes it difficult for fish to see and feed, and soil particles can act like sandpaper against fish gills, causing them harm.  Pet waste and other waste down storm drains may contain bacteria that are harmful to humans.

We can help protect our water by using lawn care chemicals sparingly, recycling automobile bi-products, and tossing pet waste in the garbage.  A message next to the storm drain is a simple reminder of what we can do to prevent storm water pollution.  Join the campaign by contacting the Stormwater Program at City Hall by calling 706-866-2544 x 212 or emailing jalacy@fortogov.com to set up a day and time that you or your group can volunteer.  We can schedule around your calendar.