Many of the pollutant sources to the Rouge have been or are currently being addressed. Point sources such as industry are no longer a significant polluter and the problem of combined sewer overflows is being addressed. The pollutant left to be addressed is polluted stormwater runoff.

Polluted stormwater runoff is a major pollutant to the Rouge and this is where we need assistance from Rouge citizens. Stormwater runoff is the water that runs over the ground during a rainstorm or snowmelt. This stormwater picks up pollutants found in fertilizers, pesticides, oil and grease from cars and bacteria from pet wastes. These pollutants enter the river either directly or through storm drains.

The best way to eliminate polluted stormwater runoff is to stop these pollutants from entering the stormwater. This is called pollution prevention and this is where we need residents' help. By making some small changes in their daily habits, citizens can significantly reduce polluted stormwater runoff. The Rouge Project is encouraging and willing to assist residents in this effort. By working together we can restore the Rouge to the recreational resource it was years ago.

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.