Programs

Public Education

Hobart is promoting pollution prevention activities and education as part of this program. The below educational brochures are available at the City Hall:

• Household Hazardous Waste
• Proper Disposal of Pet Waste
• Green Landscaping
• Stormwater Pollution
• Rain Barrel Brochure
• MS4 FAQ
• MS4 Fact Sheet
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

The following additional educational resources are available for viewing to learn more about stormwater.

• Blue is the New Green - YouTube. Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality. March 2015. Duration: 10:11. Educational video for the public on the right things to help protect our environment.
• Water Quality Education by The Clean Water Education Partnership - YouTube. Town of Cary, North Carolina. January 2018. Duration: 2:42. Video on what you can do to maintain water quality.
• Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater - YouTube. North Central Texas Council of Governments – Environment and Development. December 2014. Duration: 4:28. Freddy the Fish teaches kids about what happens to rain after it hits the ground, where storm drains lead to, and what we can do to help prevent water pollution.
• Explaining Stormwater Runoff - YouTube. The Watershed Institute. Original video produced by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council for the City of Grand Rapids, MI. June 2018. Duration: 1:35.

Education Programs

Classroom Water Quality and Conservation Opportunities

The City of Hobart and the Hobart Stormwater District is committed to providing quality stormwater and water conservation education opportunities to every student in the school systems that serve the residents of Hobart. We offer fun and creative activities for the classroom to foster awareness and good stewardship in our youth.

For information or to schedule an activity in your classroom, please contact the MS4 Coordinator at 219-942-3619.

Need a Speaker for your Civic Organization?

The Hobart Stormwater District invites the opportunity to speak with your civic groups regarding stormwater. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting the MS4 Coordinator at 219-942-3619.

Stormwater for Kids

Below you will find videos, songs, games and activities that are designed to give children a greater understanding of the stormwater pollution problem and of how water continues in a never-ending cycle.

POLLUTION VIDEOS 

• Aquarius
• What is Stormwater?

WATER CYCLE SONGS

• Water Cycle Boogie
• Water Cycle Rap

ACTIVITIES

• Run Off Game
• Stormwater Activity Workbook
• Keep It Clean
• Water Pollution

Citizen Involvement

Citizens of Hobart can report illicit discharges to the Hobart Sanitary and Stormwater District in person at the Hobart Sanitary and Stormwater District office located at City Hall, by calling 219-943-3619, via email at tkingsland@cityofhobart.org, or at the link below: http://operation-ms4.com/ms4_V4.0/locateinquiry.php?AUTHORITY=CITYOFHOBART 

To report a large spill or emergency situation please immediately contact the City of Hobart Fire and Police departments by dialing 911.Citizens can report the illegal dumping of chemicals, heavy erosion from constructions sites, polluted water, or other illegal connections to the storm system (such as septic tank discharges or washing machine wash water).

What can you do to prevent stormwater pollution?

• Clean up your property. Properly dispose of outdated or unused household chemicals stored in your basement, garage, or barn by taking them to Hobart Public Works Facility, 1840 IN-130, Hobart, IN 46342, or the Lake County Solid Waste Management District. Do not store these materials outdoors.
• Recycle used oil, automotive fluids, batteries, and other products. Do not dispose of hazardous products in storm drains, alleys, or the ground. This pollutes the water supply.
• Reduce the number of fertilizers, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals that you use. Buy only what you need so that you do not have to dispose of leftovers. Read all the labels and follow directions.
• Sweep up debris, rather than hosing down areas.
• Clean up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in a trash container or toilet. When left outdoors, pet waste contributes bacteria and nutrients to stormwater.
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on an unpaved surface to reduce the amount of dirty, soapy water entering storm drains and waterways.
• Cover piles of soil and mulch being used for landscaping projects.
• Prevent debris from entering nearby storm drains when conducting outdoor home improvement or landscaping projects.
• If you have a septic system, have it serviced regularly. Make sure it is not connected to the storm sewer or polluting a creek or body of water
• Drain your swimming pool only when a test kit shows non-detectable levels of chlorine.
• If you spill chemicals, oil, or fuel, clean it up with absorbent materials (for example kitty litter). Do not let it soak into the ground. Place absorbent in the trash.

Educational Videos

• Proper Concrete Washout Procedures (For Contractors) - Proper procedures for concrete washout placement, operation and maintenance.
• Construction BMPs - 4: Outlet Protection & Grade Stabilization - Erosion and sediment control practices that protect outlets and establish stabilized grades. Topics include energy dissipater, chutes, pipe drop structure, and toe wall structure.
• Construction BMPs - 3: Surface Stabilization - Erosion and sediment control practices that can stabilize open, exposed areas on your site. Topics include seeding, mulching (include hydromulch & straw), blankets & Mats (TRMs), polymers, riprap slope protection and surface roughening.
• Construction BMPs - 2: Stormwater Runoff/Run-on - Items needed to prepare a construction site for handling stormwater runoff from the site and stormwater run-on coming onto the site.
• Construction BMPs - 1: Site Access and Prep - Items needed to initially prepare a construction site for access and before the site grading begins.
• Construction Sites Overview - Inspector’s overall responsibilities when they inspect an active construction site for compliance with its stormwater quality runoff permit and / or applicable regulatory requirements.

Certifications and Training Opportunities

• Envirocert International - Professional certifications including Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC), Certified Erosion, Sediment and StormWater Inspection (CESSWI), Certified Professional in StormWater Inspection (CPSWI), Certified Professional in StormWater Quality (CPSWQ)
• NPDES Training Institute - MS4 Stormwater Inspector Course
• Stormwater One - Online courses for SWPPP preparation, stormwater inspections, runoff control, erosion and sediment control, low impact development, post-construction stormwater management, BMP installation and more.

Stormwater Fees

All the programs described are provided and funded through the stormwater utility fees. The City of Hobart manages stormwater activities through the its Sanitary and Stormwater District Board. The ordinance establishing stormwater user fees can be found at the following link https://www.cityofhobart.org/DocumentCenter/View/3042/Ord-2021-44-Revised-System-of-Rates-and-Charges-Stormwater-User-Fees 

Stormwater Quality Program - Report Pollution

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) pertain to illicit, or not lawful, connections to storm sewers, and the illegal discharge and/or dumping of pollutants into storm sewers.. The City of Hobart and the Hobart Stormwater District takes IDDE very seriously because these practices can lead to reductions in the quality of water in our local waterways.

To report illicit discharges and illegal connections, please contact the Hobart Stormwater District by calling 219-942-3619.