Northwest Arkansas Stormwater Program 2024 Impact

Seventeen NWA cities, Benton and Washington counties, and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville partner with the UA System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the NWA Regional Planning Commission on a proven and cost-effective way to meet EPA Phase 2 Stormwater Management Permit requirements.

2024 Annual Program Emphasis:

Auto Maintenance & Household Hazardous Waste

Each year, we highlight a topic related to stormwater pollution. In 2024, we focused on educating people about automotive maintenance and household hazardous waste management as ways to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain system and degrading water quality.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off & Recycle Coupons

We partnered with Boston Mountain Solid Waste District to host a drop-off event to collect household hazardous waste, like paints and batteries, to prevent stormwater pollution. Boston Mountain and Benton County Solid Waste Districts also accepted $10 coupons that we handed out at events and cleanups.

ZIPS Car Wash Program

We developed a video on carwashing Best Management Practices and partnered with ZIPS, a commercial car wash with locations across NWA, on a drawing for free car washes. Our social media campaign to promote both resulted in 128 residents pledging to adopt vehicle best management practices, such as repairing fluid leaks and using car washes where the wash water is treated instead of hand washing where pollutants can flow into storm drains.

Car Care Clinics

We partnered with University Auto / The Grease Pig in Fayetteville to host three Car Care Clinics. Fifty-four residents learned to identify different vehicle fluids, look for leaks, understand common issues with their car, and how to check for them.

Cleanups

We led or helped our partners coordinate 16 creek clean-ups with the help of 722 volunteers, who removed litter from creeks and recreational areas.

New Videos

We recorded  “10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution” in a humorous but informative 10-video playlist and developed a public service announcement.  We also created a two-minute animation explaining how urban growth and loss of pervious surfaces affects our water resources.

Educational Programming

919

Adults including construction professionals, educators, Master Gardeners, U of A students, public officials, and the general public participated in our programs on topics including construction best management practices, rain barrels, landscape management, pollution prevention, and more!

713

Youth across NWA participated in our programs at area schools, summer camps, local library programs and 4-H programs.

952

NWA residents interacted with us at 12 community events

357

Construction professionals participated in the online Best Management Practices training.

Want to join us in protecting local streams creeks and streams?

Check out these 10 Things You Can Do to Protect Stormwater, and follow #KnowtheFlowNWA on social media for more ideas!