The Water Column: Summer 2026

“There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.” - President Theodore Roosevelt

Small MS4 Permit Renewal

The Ohio EPA has released a redline draft of Permit OH000005, aka the Small MS4 Permit. 

Fact Sheet

Redline Draft

The OEPA will be accepting comments regarding the draft permit until August 4th. Interested parties may submit their comments via the OEPA Online Comments Portal. 

The Jefferson SWCD is currently updating the Stormwater Management Plan to reflect the proposed changes in the new Small MS4 Permit. Jefferson County & Other's SWMP will be available for review once the OEPA's permit is finalized. 

Stormwater Program Updates

In addition to the MS4 permit renewal process, the JSWCD is in the process of reviewing local stormwater ordinances, contact forms, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans. Watch your emails and mailboxes for information requests!

As a reminder:  Please notify the JSWCD of any changes of personnel who directly deal with your entity's MS4 program (i.e.: Village administrators, Street Superintendents, etc). 

PSA: Heat Health

Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke symptoms and actions. Heat exhaustion: dizziness, thirst; move to a cooler area, drink water. Heat stroke: confusion, call 911.

Stream Monitoring

Starting in late winter of '26, the JSWCD joined the Izzak Walton League of America's Salt Watch Program. This program provided the district with water sampling equipment to monitor our local streams for sodium chloride levels. Each month, samples are taken and then uploaded to the Clean Water Hub portal. By participating in this program, the district is able to identify areas of concern where salt usage is high, or may be occurring in off season periods 

To further expand the stream monitoring program, the district has also begun participating in Nitrate Watch. This program monitors local streams for nitrates and nitrites; organic compounds that indicate a fresh pollutant, and is hazardous to all forms of life that utilizes the water (fish, deer, cattle, and humans to name a few). Nitrates and nitrites are common indicators of over fertilization of farms or lawns, failing septic systems, sanitary sewer issues, and illicit runoff from urban or industrialized areas. 

Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch are provided free of charge to individuals who wish to participate. Please contact our office to learn more, or to suggest a stream monitoring site. 

A calm river scene with a boat ramp and a partially submerged post. Surrounding trees are bare, and there's an old bridge in the background.
Mingo Jct. Marina
A rural scene featuring a bridge over a clear stream, with houses nearby and bare trees in a grassy area.
Dillonvale
The image shows a grassy area with a small stream, a concrete culvert, and a house in the background.
Walnut Creek Park, Wintersville
A serene river scene with clear water reflecting a bridge and lush greenery on either side, under bright blue skies.
Fernwood SF Bridge
A riverbank scene featuring calm water, an industrial area in the background, and a sandy shore with some debris.
Steubenville Marina
The image shows a riverbank with water, fallen branches, some snow, and a concrete structure in the background.
Stanton Elementary
A sunlit stream bed surrounded by greenery, with rocks and mud, indicating a peaceful natural setting.
Beatty Park, Steubenville
A bridge spans over a flowing river, with vegetation and a log visible on the riverbank.
Buckeye Local School
A calm river scene with a boat ramp and a partially submerged post. Surrounding trees are bare, and there's an old bridge in the background.
A rural scene featuring a bridge over a clear stream, with houses nearby and bare trees in a grassy area.
The image shows a grassy area with a small stream, a concrete culvert, and a house in the background.
A serene river scene with clear water reflecting a bridge and lush greenery on either side, under bright blue skies.
A riverbank scene featuring calm water, an industrial area in the background, and a sandy shore with some debris.
The image shows a riverbank with water, fallen branches, some snow, and a concrete structure in the background.
A sunlit stream bed surrounded by greenery, with rocks and mud, indicating a peaceful natural setting.
A bridge spans over a flowing river, with vegetation and a log visible on the riverbank.

Annual Facility Inspections

Beginning in August, the JSWCD will start contacting local street and highway garages to schedule their annual facility inspection.  As a reminder, each MS4 facility is required to be inspected at least once per year. 

Report a Stormwater Concern

A reminder to those who manage a City / Village / Township website - feel free to share our "Report a Stormwater Concern" portal on your website. This is an easy way for citizens to address issues in their neighborhood. All inquiries are handled by the Jefferson SWCD. 

Questions. Comments. Concerns

As always, the JSWCD is here to provide technical assistance to public and private land users across the county. Please don't hesitate to reach out to myself, Mark Petho, or any of the JSWCD staff. 

 

The Water Column

Vol. 2, Iss. 2

 

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