Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Help Protect Mid-Michigan’s Waterways

East Lansing residents and the Greater Lansing community enjoy the Looking Glass, Grand, Red Cedar & Maple Rivers. These waterways are being protected from polluted stormwater runoff in many ways. Watch the video on the many ways agencies and residents are doing their part. 

The public is invited and encouraged to become involved and participate in the protection of mid-Michigan's surface waters through their review of and implementation of the City of East Lansing's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. Please contact the Engineering Department at any time with comments, suggestions or questions: (517) 337-9459.

Report Polluting!

To report suspicious activity, or if you see someone dumping anything but clean water in the storm sewers, streets, rivers or even on the ground, please contact the East Lansing Department of Public Works at (517) 337-9459.

GLRC Stormwater Management Quarterly Newsletters and Annual Reports

The City of East Lansing is a member of the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC). Visit the GLRC website or check out the latest quarterly newsletter and annual report to learn how the City and its partners are working tog

YouTube Videos


Water Quality: A Citizen's Guide

Check out this helpful Citizen's Guide for information on what you can do to help protect our water quality.

Other Resources

Want to learn more about how you can protect our waterways at your home, school or business? Check out these brochures and fliers and feel free to print and post them at your workplace or classroom!

Learn how you can help keep our water clean:

Storm Sewer
What’s the Difference between Sanitary, Storm and Combined Sewers?
You’ve seen one drain, you've seen them all. They are all the same, right? Not so! It's important to understand the difference between sanitary sewers, storm sewers and combined sewers so we can prevent environmental damage. Learn more.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers
Storm drains that are found in streets and yards empty into lakes and streams. So, when you fertilize your lawn, you could also be fertilizing lakes and streams! Learn more.
Pet Waste
Remember, your dog isn’t just making a mess on the lawn!
Rain washes pet waste and bacteria into storm drains and pollutes waterways. It's a health risk to pets and people, especially children. Pet waste is full of bacteria that can make people sick. If it's washed into the storm drain and ends up in a river, lake or stream, the bacteria ends up degrading water quality. Learn more.
Car Washing
Remember, you’re not just washing your car...
Storm drains found in streets and roadside ditches lead directly to lakes and streams. If dirty water from washing cars gets into the storm drain, it pollutes local waterways. This“dirty” water contains pollutants such as grease, oil and dirt, phosphates and other chemicals that can harm fish and water quality. Phosphates can cause excess algae to grow. Learn more.
Vehicle Maintenance
Remember, the taste of cod liver oil? Fish feel the same way about motor oil...
The fluids that leak or drip from automobiles eventually end up in rivers, lakes and streams. Did you know that even though your home may be miles away from a lake or a river, the chemicals that spill on your driveway or parking lot can find their way to local waterways? Learn more.