Online Contest Educates Participants on Stormwater Management, Features Great Prizes

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, in partnership with the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, has announced the “Stormwater Challenge Contest”. The contest raises awareness about stormwater runoff, which occurs when rain and snowmelt can’t soak in to the ground and runs off of rooftops, driveways, streets and lawns. A substantial volume of runoff flows through systems of pipes and ditches that eventually discharge directly into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. When this runoff comes in contact with certain pollutants, such as lawn chemicals, motor vehicle fluids, and pet wastes, it may become contaminated.

“Our western New York water resources are the keystone for attracting economic development and creating a blue economy,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Erie County is committed to protecting our water-based assets, and I recommend that all residents take the challenge, learn how their day-to-day activities impact water quality, and learn how small changes in their lives and yards can add up to huge returns for all of us.”

The WNY Stormwater Coalition, comprised of 43 municipal agencies in Erie and Niagara counties, is presenting the “Stormwater Challenge Contest” as a thought-provoking strategy to educate the public on stormwater pollution and increase public awareness on ways to prevent it. Participants will learn how to keep stormwater clean, what a storm sewer is intended for, ways to keep pollution out of natural waters, and how to protect valuable water resources.

Randomly selected participants who complete and submit the online quiz by May 31, 2013, will be eligible for a chance to win prizes including: a family four pack of tickets to the Maid of the Mist, Naval & Military Park, Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Tour, or Quaker City Ferry Company; a kayak package; a rain barrel; or a slip-n-slide, beach toy set, snorkel set, or double tube float. 48 winners will be chosen from among all participants, and will be notified. Funding is provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

To take the online quiz, and to learn more about stormwater pollution prevention, visit www.erie.gov/stormwater

To learn more about the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/