BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County-area volunteers are needed to help with the region’s portion of the 3,000-mile Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 14.
Local volunteers, please report to:
Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Dress for the weather! Organizers will provide trash bags and a limited number of gloves. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt.
Contact Penny at Ohioriversweep@gmail.com to register or for more information.
The ORSANCO Ohio River Sweep is the annual, volunteer cleanup that extends the entire 3,000 miles of the Ohio River. Volunteers from the six states, which border the Ohio River, remove litter at multiple locations along the Ohio River and many of its tributaries. Ohio River Sweep is coordinated locally by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and other local partners such as the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District, Valley View Foundation, and the villages of Moscow and New Richmond.
The volunteers for the Ohio River Sweep have made tremendous progress cleaning the Ohio River. Yet, litter continues to be a global problem. Volunteers make a positive impact in the entire Ohio River Basin by participating in the Ohio River Sweep.
“Rivers and streams provide 65 percent of our nation’s drinking water and 88 percent of Cincinnati’s drinking water,” said Penny Greenler, Clermont Country River Sweep coordinator. “By participating in the River Sweep cleanup effort with others in your community, you can help make your Ohio River a safer, healthier place for wildlife and people.”
Bill Mellman, program manager for the Office of Environmental Quality, spends a lot of time in a considerably safe workspace. But fieldwork brings potential safety hazards for Mellman and others in OEQ.
“This is nearly always around water including, at times, surface water bodies above flood stage,” he said. “In such an environment, it’s obvious that attention to safety is critical. Additionally, some of us frequently — and all of us, occasionally — work with harsh chemicals and biohazards so that’s a level of required awareness above your standard desk job.”
Mellman was introduced to the importance of safety as a youngster in Chicago. He joined Clermont County in 2008 after jobs at the University of Cincinnati and Andersen Consulting.
“My father built a sailboat so I was always near water,” he said. “Wearing a personal flotation device, or PFD, was second nature to me. When I was in college I used to lead outdoor trips in climbing, caving, canoeing and backpacking, so very early on emergency management awareness and training was required of me. As I’ve gotten older, less obvious sources of injury have made themselves known. As selfish as it sounds, my own comfort is often a motivation.”
Fortunately, Mellman’s teammates are equally aware and concerned about safely so minimal promotion is necessary, but he often helps ensure everyone has the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job. Also, he said that review, reminders and checklists are among your best tools before your risk has increased.
“For us the greatest risks are tripping/falling injuries when on steep ground when in the field,” he said “It’s infrequent but at times drowning is also a risk, and for those of us working in the lab, exposure to chemicals and biohazards is a risk. The simplest and most obvious first step is having the appropriate PPE. Then reviewing and communicating what you’re going to do before you do it.”
Clermont County Safety Coordinator Gary Caudill said: “Bill and his team are setting the stage in preventing any workplace injuries.”
BATAVIA, OH — In a non-descript building tucked off a bend in State Route 50, near Interstate 275, small teams from Clermont County’s Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) diligently work to keep our water safe.
A lab manager, chemist and three lab techs, who are key members of the OEQ team, work to test wastewater from four Clermont County treatment plants as well as 10 facilities in the City of Milford, New Richmond and other areas. They ensure that water meets safety standards before its release back into the environment.
Meanwhile, a research scientist from the USEPA and his team perform tests at the only Experimental Stream Facility of its type in the country. The facility replicates the natural world in a controlled environment, allowing the USEPA to study simulated streams in Clermont County and other locations. They test the effects of various chemicals on fish and macroinvertebrates and the results inform the development of water quality standards.
“The USEPA helps us with our local watershed program, and they also have a lot of other research projects underway,” said Hannah Lubbers, OEQ director. “The technical expertise they provide the county is of tremendous value to the region. This partnership, combined with other federal, state and local agencies is unique and helps us to address the challenges that led to formation of the Office of Environmental Quality 25 years ago.”
The OEQ story began in 1996, a year when Clermont County was experiencing rapid growth. In response, the county developed a wastewater master plan to ensure that growth and development occurred in a sustainable manner. The Board of County Commissioners recognized the importance of resource protection and charged OEQ to become the local experts on water quality.
“One of the main reasons for forming the Office of Environmental Quality was to protect the quality of water in Clermont County,” Lubbers said. She credits then-Director Paul Braasch with leading efforts to maintain local control over water resources.
The office is a joint department under Clermont County Water Resources, also doing work in Adams County as part of the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. It provides waste and recycling guidance to the public, does recycling programs in offices and schools, gives educational programs, and operates a waste transfer facility in Adams County. OEQ is also responsible for monitoring the CECOS landfill for regulatory compliance and water quality, as well as operating the Wastewater Laboratory on SR 50 in Milford. Additional responsibilities include partnering with the local Emergency Management Agency to respond to floods and tornadoes.
Several years after establishing the OEQ and a Wastewater Master Plan, Clermont County received ownership of the Experimental Stream Research facility (ESF) from Procter & Gamble. OEQ secured a partnership with a renowned research scientist at the USEPA, Chris Nietch, to lease the facility for watershed research. The research that has since been done in Clermont County and neighboring counties fostered a unique partnership among federal, state and local governments.
In 2008, this group of agencies with a common interest in water resource protection formed the East Fork Watershed Cooperative (EFWCoop). The EFWCoop, which includes OEQ, USEPA, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District, Clermont County Water Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture), United States Army Corp, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Clermont County Park District and local stakeholders, began meeting regularly and combined resources to enhance local and regional efforts. As a result, the East Fork of the Little Miami has become a test bed for watershed research and management practices.
As the EFWCoop built a comprehensive water monitoring system, OEQ set about creating an in-house water quality program to identify priority management areas and assess long-term trends. The program has achieved Level 3 certification, the highest given by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Over the years, OEQ has sampled many sites in the East Fork watershed. This helps identify areas of high pollution that can be targeted for practices to reduce contamination. This information, along with results from a watershed model developed by USEPA, is used to prioritize areas for management practices when funding becomes available.
“A major threat to water quality in this area is nutrient loading, which is basically too much nitrogen and phosphorus in streams coming from multiple sources,” Lubbers said. “This type of pollution, called non-point source pollution, is what Clermont County is focused on managing.”
Non-point source pollution (NPS) is runoff from rainfall or snow melt that washes pollutants off the landscape and into nearby streams. Nutrients from fertilizers and failing septic systems are the main source of pollution in this region and are the main cause of Harmful Algal Blooms in East Fork Lake. Land use above the lake is primarily agricultural.
“Agricultural best management practices, or BMPs, such as cover crops and no-till, are the best avenue to reduce nutrient runoff in the watershed,” Lubbers said. With the help of the EFWCoop, cover crop acreage has increased dramatically in the region and landowner interest in other BMPs is growing.
In addition to agricultural practices, many other watershed projects have provided water quality benefits. Clermont County OEQ has been instrumental in helping partner agencies secure more than $9 million in grant funding to remove low-head dams, restore stream habitat and implement storm water improvement practices. A recent study revealed the East Fork Little Miami River is meeting water quality standards downstream of East Fork Lake, where most of the waste water treatment plants are located. Prior to gaining a better understanding of NPS runoff, treatment plants were thought to be the main sources of pollution.
“We think many of the watershed management projects and practices implemented in the lower East Fork of the Little Miami River have contributed to that section of river being in attainment of state water quality standards,” Lubbers said. Because the river is in good condition, the treatment plants won’t be burdened with stricter nutrient limits.
The East Fork Little Miami River watershed is now regarded as one of the most comprehensive and effective watershed management programs throughout Ohio. The strength of the local partnerships has directed attention and grant dollars from northern Ohio and Lake Erie, to southern Ohio and the vitally important watersheds of the Ohio River.
“While the county and region continue to grow and develop, Clermont OEQ and its many partners will carry on our work to help ensure the rural nature of the region is preserved so our growing populations can continue to enjoy Clermont County’s abundant natural resources,” Lubbers said.
BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County-area volunteers are needed to help with the region’s portion of the 3,000-mile Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 17.
Local volunteers, please report to:
The event was rescheduled due to severe weather threats. Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Organizers will provide trash bags and a limited number of gloves. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt.
The Ohio River Sweep extends the entire length of the Ohio River and many of its tributaries. This important regional event addresses a global problem: litter in our waterways. It connects people to the Ohio River and encourages stewardship of this important resource.
“Rivers and streams provide 65 percent of our nation’s drinking water and 88 percent of Cincinnati’s drinking water,” said Penny Greenler, Clermont Country River Sweep coordinator. “By participating in the River Sweep cleanup effort with others in your community, you can help make your Ohio River a safer, healthier place for wildlife and people.”
Thousands of volunteers from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cairo, Ill., will clean up the 3,000 miles of Ohio River shoreline. The cleanup involves more than 100 locations in six states. It’s coordinated by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and state environmental agencies. Visit oeq.net or contact Penny at OhioRiverSweep@gmail.com to register or for more information.
BATAVIA, OH — Efforts to keep Clermont County beautiful got a boost recently when the Office of Environmental Quality received a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
The $37,000 Recycle Ohio Community and Litter grant will support the Ohio River Sweep, Spring Litter Clean-up and Tire Collection Days. The grant includes a 20 percent match from the county.
In the Ohio River Sweep, local volunteers join 100 locations in six states each summer to remove litter from the waterway.
In the Spring Litter Clean-up, people volunteer their time to pick up trash throughout Clermont County and the East Fork Watershed.
In Tire Collection Days, Clermont County residents can drop off up to 10 tires at a pre-determined location. The Collection Days will be scheduled for a weekend in October, visit oeq.net to sign up for notifications. In the meantime, residents can take their tires to tire retailers and pay a small fee to recycle them
“These funds will help us supply volunteers with tools they need to keep Clermont County beautiful,” said Hannah Lubbers, director of the Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. “They will also cover costs of items such as water bottles and other supplies for those who so graciously devote time to these important events.”
BATAVIA, OH – Clermont County-area volunteers are needed to help with the region’s portion of the 3,000-mile Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 19.
Register at https://oeq.net/. Contact Penny at ohioriversweep@gmail.com for more information.
Local volunteers, please report to:
Volunteers will be working in “small groups” per Governor DeWine’s COVID-19 orders. Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Organizers will provide trash bags and a limited number of gloves. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt.
The Ohio River Sweep extends the entire length of the Ohio River and many of its tributaries. This important regional event addresses a global problem: litter in our waterways. It connects people to the Ohio River and encourages stewardship of this important resource.
“Rivers and streams provide 65 percent of our nation’s drinking water and 88 percent of Cincinnati’s drinking water,” said Penny Greenler, Clermont County River Sweep coordinator. “By participating in the River Sweep cleanup effort with others in your community, you can help make your Ohio River a safer, healthier place for wildlife and people.”
Thousands of volunteers from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cairo, Ill., will clean up the 3,000 miles of Ohio River shoreline. The cleanup involves more than 100 locations in six states. It’s coordinated by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and state environmental agencies.
BATAVIA, OH — Residents and businesses may now place #5 plastic tubs in Rumpke’s recycling containers. Bring on the butter tubs and yogurt containers, toss in those fruit cups! All of these items will find new life through Rumpke’s enhanced recycling program. All curbside and drop-off recycling in Clermont County is serviced by Rumpke so residents can now place plastic tubs, along with their lids in the recycling bin. Be sure to rinse the container and reattach the lid before tossing in the bin.
Like with other acceptable items, Rumpke has secured long-term contracts with stable, regional end users for this material, and 95% of the recycled goes to domestic end users.
New equipment wasn’t necessary to handle the tubs, although new robotics will be installed this spring to better process the materials. Instead it was issues with the cup shape, color and smell that created problems in creating a marketable recycled product. Fortunately “The manufacturers of that type of plastic have partnered with end-users and recycling companies like Rumpke to overcome these challenges and establish long term uses for these types of materials”, said Molly Yeager, Rumpke’s Corporate Communications Manager.
Rumpke is officially launching the new program January 11, 2021. Residents should remember to keep items clean, empty, and lose to promote efficient recycling. “Specifically, that means emptying the container (do not nest or stuff materials), rinsing and replacing the lid, and not placing recyclables in plastic bags”, said Hannah Lubbers, Director of the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District.
Plastic tubs are a welcome addition to the list of materials residents of Clermont County can currently recycle, shown below.
Hannah Lubbers
OEQ, Director
BATAVIA, OH (Sept. 22, 2020) — Plastic bags (and films and wraps) are bad for the recycling bins: Please dump your recyclables from plastic bags into the bin, and if the bag is clean and dry, take it to a retailer that recycles bags.
Why, you ask?
OK, so what can I do with them?
Recycled plastic bags, films and wraps are not in as much demand from manufacturers, so retailers with large storage capabilities are more willing to recycle. To name a few, Kroger, Lowes, Home Depot, Meijers and some department stores have bins by the entrances for plastic bags, but did you know they will also accept other films and wraps? Please click here for a list of plastics Kroger will accept in their bins.
Please Note:
All plastic bags should be clean and dry… dirty, wet or plastic with food attached will contaminate and render the bags unusable.
Other non-recyclable bags or plastics are:
For more information on recycling, check out the Office of Environmental Quality’s website.
BATAVIA, OH (July 29, 2020) – Clermont County has taken another step in its effort to lessen harmful algal blooms (HABs) at Harsha Lake: Designing a system to capture storm water rich with fertilizer nutrients that feed the blooms.
The Board of County Commissioners on July 18 approved a two-year, $42,400 contract with Sustainable Streams of Louisville to design a passive wetland system in Williamsburg for Harsha Lake sourcewater protection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, HABs are the rapid growth of cyanobacteria that can cause harm to animals, people, and the local ecology. A HAB can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of water and can be different colors. Particularly large HABs can result in beach closures and prevent recreational use.
“Wetlands have a natural ability to remove nutrients from surface water,” said Hannah Lubbers, Director, Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality. “Our study of a small scale constructed wetland in Jackson Township indicated they can be a cost-effective method of reducing nutrient pollution.”
Installation of wetlands, in combination with other agricultural and urban best management practices (BMPs), is part of the sourcewater and watershed protection programs being implemented by the East Fork Water Quality Cooperative (EFWC).
Partners of the cooperative, including Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, the County Commissioners, and the USEPA, aggressively pursue grant funding to improve local water quality and to date have directed over $2.25-million dollars to the watershed, including $215,500 set aside for construction of the wetland in Williamsburg. The EFWC partners also combine agency resources and technical services to advance watershed efforts.
“Harsha Lake is a valuable resource for county residents and we are working hard to preserve that resource,” Lubbers said. “The Williamsburg project will provide invaluable water quality data and information to aid watershed efforts across the region and Ohio.”
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Did you know you can help with the toilet paper shortage?
In addition to not hoarding materials you won’t use and conserving what you do have, residents of Clermont County have another avenue of helping increase the supply of toilet paper, and it’s via a not so obvious mechanism: recycling. That’s right, recycling is more important than ever right now.
Many non-essential businesses have shut down or limited production due to the COVID-19 virus, which means they are generating less paper and cardboard feedstock to paper mills. Local mills have seen over a 30% decrease in materials.
Yet demand for many items that are made out of recycled paper products, like cardboard and that precious toilet paper, has gone up due to increased ship to home purchases, panic buying and less people doing their business at the office.
So do your part and remember to recycle those cardboard shipping boxes and paper, they can be turned into valuable “end” products.
Residents may call their curbside waste hauler to order convenient curbside recycling. To see a list of drop-off recycling centers and the list of acceptable recyclables visit https://oeq.net/recycling/
