During its 12th year, MSD's Environmental Education Program refocused its energy on new community partnerships beyond the classroom. Although the bulk of MSD's environmental activities still take place in the classroom, much more has been done to create neighborhood partnerships. At a glance, here are the programs that have reached the most people.
City-County Water Quality Stakeholders Group
As part of MSD's stormwater permit, a citizens' stakeholders group was developed in 1998. The purpose is to bring interested citizens together from all watersheds and areas in Louisville and Jefferson County. The group is diverse in that its members represent such interests as neighborhood leaders, educators, builders, environmentalists, elected officials and planners.
The group will meet on a monthly basis to study different water quality issues, such as: combined sewer overflows; sanitary sewer expansion; water quality issues; and flood protection. Group members will study the effects of these issues as they relate to the different watersheds in Louisville and Jefferson County.
The goal is citizen input in prioritizing available funds to correct the most serious problem first in each area. Each water quality issue in Jefferson County will be rated on its effect on the community and the immediate watershed. By supporting this citizens' group, MSD is asking for the community's expertise in solving environmental problems.
High School Partnerships
For the fourth year, MSD has employed high school students during the summer months to assist with inflow and infiltration (I&I) investigations and stormwater discharge identification.
The students, under the supervision of MSD staff and consultants, are paid to conduct neighborhood surveys in areas with significant I&I problems. The students help identify improper connections from downspouts, sump pumps and area drains, and assist in smoke-testing sewer lines. Others work from MSD maps to identify stormwater discharge points and perform sample tests to determine the source and content of the discharges.
The program offers summer employment to students who have an interest in environmental sciences, and provides our customers with a seasonal service at a greatly reduced cost. This program has won several national awards.
Waterway Sweeps
As in past years, MSD sponsored and participated in the two largest area stream cleanups in 1998 — the Ohio River Sweep and the Beargrass Creek Sweep. In addition, MSD lent a hand to smaller neighborhood cleanup efforts along secondary creeks and streams.
Neighborhood sweeps were held on tributaries in the Pond Creek, Mill Creek and Floyds Fork watersheds. MSD furnished trash bags, backhoes, dump trucks and operators. The neighborhoods furnished the volunteers.
Both the Ohio River and Beargrass Creek Sweeps drew their usual large number of volunteers, although the Ohio River Sweep in Louisville and Jefferson County had to be postponed until October due to flooding on the river in early June.
Earth Day and Science Fairs
MSD employees again volunteered to make Earth Day at the Zoo a huge success. Thousands of local residents visited the MSD booth and were treated to demonstrations of bioengineering restoration techniques and LOJIC mapping detailing rainstorm tracking and stream flooding.
MSD volunteers also served as judges at a number of local school science fairs.
Last, but certainly not least, MSD personnel made several service runs to aid customers (the feathered kind) that were stuck in area storm catch basins. While mother duck waited patiently by the curb, MSD staff rescued the ducklings that either fell or jumped through the gratings and into the basins. With more duck and geese living along area waterways, this customer service request is becoming fairly routine.
