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Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Stormwater Management

Oakland Community College (OCC) encourages students, employees and the community to work together to protect our waterways by reducing pollution in stormwater systems.

Rain and melted snow on OCC campuses flow into storm sewers, which eventually discharge directly into nearby rivers, wetlands and lakes without treatment. OCC has campuses that are in the Rouge River, Huron River and Clinton River Watersheds. As a result, pollutants entering our storm sewers can travel long distances, affecting the environment and potentially threatening local communities.

What can you do to prevent stormwater pollution?

  • Never dump chemicals down storm drains! Only rain and snow should enter our storm sewers.
  • Place trash in designated containers and cover outdoor trash bins.
  • Minimize salt use during winter.
  • Reduce or eliminate pesticide use and apply only in areas less likely to be carried by runoff into storm drains.

How to report a spill

To report a spill or pollutant release, contact OCC Public Safety at (248) 858-4911, or 5555 from a campus phone.

Stormwater Management Plan

To protect our waterways, OCC has created a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that outlines strategies to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.  Pollutants can harm ecosystems by killing plants and animals, and by making waterways unsafe for both wildlife and humans. Review OCC’s Stormwater Management Plan (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions

Stormwater runoff is water from rain or melting snow that doesn’t soak into the ground.  It picks up garbage, bacteria, chemicals and other pollutants as it runs off hard surfaces, like pavement and roofs, and carries these pollutants to our streams, ponds, and wetlands.

When it rains or snows, stormwater runoff is directed to storm drains, which can be found in parking lots and along the edges of paved roads.  This water flows to underground pipes that eventually empty into bodies of water like streams, rivers or wetlands.

Storm sewers are designed to redirect stormwater runoff from hard surfaces so that it does not pool in unwanted areas. Sanitary sewers collect wastewater from homes and other buildings, and direct it to wastewater treatment plants for treatment.

Household hazardous waste includes paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, pesticides, and other hazardous products that can contribute to pollution if not disposed of properly. Never dispose of household hazardous waste down a storm drain. 

While Oakland County does not have a county-wide household hazardous waste disposal program, some organizations provide collection services to local communities. In addition, some communities operate independent programs.

Contact these organizations for upcoming collection dates:

Oakland County Watersheds

Do you know which local watershed you live in?  Check out the interactive map.

Search regional watersheds by Address

Contact Information

Michael Schmidt
Manager of Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management
Email: maschmid@oaklandcc.edu
Phone: (248) 232-4633