April showers bring May flowers – but the extra stormwater can also bring so much rain that it creates a system overload. Peoria’s Stormwater Utility (SWU) is helping aid that issue, but did you know there are things you can do in your own backyard to help the cause?

This wet weather season sparks the need to remind residents of simple ways they can help reduce stormwater runoff and lessen the number of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) events in our City.

The following are several sustainable solutions property owners can begin today:

  1. Capture Rainwater. Install rain barrels to capture the rainwater that runs off of your roof. Use it to water your flowers or grass. Reducing runoff by changing your landscape and waterflow will slow down the rate at which stormwater rushes into our creeks, streams and river.
  2. Plant a Rain Garden. Beautify your property and our community while reducing stormwater runoff and flooding by installing a rain garden. The garden will help capture and retain rainwater and allow it to absorb into soil at a much slower rate.
  3. Go Permeable. Choose porous pavers or permeable pavement for your patio or driveway. Consider utilizing mulch for walkways instead of hard surfaces.
  4. Choose Native Plants. Make your yard thirstier with native plants, grasses and shrubs. Deep root systems help hold soil in place and can aid in filtering groundwater.
  5. Watch Yard Waste. Sweep your grass clippings, fertilizer and soil onto your lawn so they don’t get washed into stormwater drains.
  6. Pick it Up. Put trash in an appropriate receptacle and pick up after pets to keep our water clean. Polluted runoffis one of the greatest threats to clean water in the United States.

Solutions Start at Home
Every part of Peoria is affected by stormwater runoff. We all can play a role in solving Peoria’s wet weather problems. By taking some or all these simple steps, we can tackle stormwater runoff challenges together, choosing proactive approaches that add beauty, save money and protect our waterways.

Learn more about our stormwater runoff challenges and how Peoria is going green to combat the issues here at peoriastormwater.com/addressing-issues.