APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) – The City of Appleton is planning to take on an “Adopt-a-Pond” program, encouraging community members to help clean debris and trash from storm drains and ponds to prevent flooding and pollution.
Laura Jungwirth, director of public works for the City of Appleton, said one of the most common problems her team encounters is residents improperly disposing of yard waste near stormwater facilities.
“We see people bag up their grass which is totally fine,” Jungwirth said. “But we’ll see them dump that bag out right on the edge of the bank of the storm water facility. We’ll find mounds of grass in that. Well, that’s a whole pile of phosphorus that’s discharging into that pond.”
Why the city needs community help
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, trash and debris in stormwater facilities can damage habitats and deter potential residents, among other issues. Jungwirth said the problems extend beyond the ponds themselves…