Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program

Lane County, in partnership with Stormwater Protection Systems, is offering discounted storm drain cleaning to area businesses. This voluntary program for businesses located within Lane County offers cleaning of parking lot storm drains for a flat fee of $65 per storm drain/catch basin.

Why are clean storm drains important in Florence? There are several reasons. First and foremost, the protection of the aquifer, our drinking water supply for the community. As stormwater percolates into the North Florence Dunal Aquifer, a federally recognized sole source aquifer, stormwater pollutants can directly infiltrate into the City’s aquifer, threatening the City’s only feasible drinking water source.

Secondly, stormwater runoff (also known as surface water runoff) generally drains to Munsel Creek and the Siuslaw River, which contains federally-protected threatened Coho Salmon. Common pollutants found in stormwater, such as oils, greases, hydrocarbons, and metals such as copper and zinc (from automotive brakes) are highly toxic to aquatic species.

Another reason for clean storm drains is to reduce the flooding risk to public and private property. Today’s modern stormwater management reduces the risks to public and private property by requiring new developments to implement Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP’s) which reduces environmental impacts and lessens costs to the public to construct and maintain the City’s stormwater conveyance system.

For more information on the discounted storm system cleaning for businesses, or to sign your business up, head to Lane County website. https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19608564