It’s Wisconsin Stormwater Week! Summer at the Storm Drains Contest Extended

posted August 7, 2023 – 4:01pm

The City of Madison in collaboration as a partner of the Wisconsin Stormwater Collaborative (WSC) invites all communities to get involved in the state’s first Wisconsin Stormwater Week, Aug. 5-13, 2023. Governor Tony Evers has also proclaimed this week, Wisconsin Stormwater Week!

WSC is a partnership of a number of municipalities, stormwater entities and non-profits focused on raising awareness about stormwater and challenges and opportunities it creates in communities.

“Stormwater continues to be a focus of our work here in the City of Madison, from our watershed studies, flood mitigation and resilience, to improving water quality and providing habitat for pollinators,” City of Madison City Engineer Jim Wolfe said. “Stormwater design has changed with climate change. We hope the community will join us in learning more about how our stormwater system works and the everyday impacts each individual can have on keeping our local waterways clean through Wisconsin Stormwater Week webinars, local resources and the Summer at the Storm Drains Contest.”

Stormwater runoff impacts our rivers, lakes and drinking water. With every rain event, pollutants like fertilizers, soil, pet waste, oil, and leaves and other organic material get washed into our surface waters. These pollutants cause excessive weed and algae growth in our waters, harmful algae blooms, sedimentation and many other problems.

Get Involved!

Summer at the Storm Drains Selfie Contest Deadline EXTENDED through Aug. 13, 2023.
- Visit your local storm drain mural for a free rain barrel, rain garden consultation or gift card to local businesses or restaurants on the Madison lakes! Submit selfies until 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023!
- Contest rules
- Printable map
- Interactive map
Livestream Events
- Tues., Aug. 8, 2023, Noon-1 pm: Rainwater Collection
  - Speakers: Chris Schultz (Senior Project Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District) and Megan Högfeldt (Water Resources Specialist, City of Superior)
  - Livestream Registration
- Wed., Aug. 9, 2023, Noon-1 pm: Salt Pollution Monitoring and Reduction Successes
  - Speakers: Cheryl Nenn (Milwaukee Riverkeeper), Allison Madison, Wisconsin SaltWIse
  - Livestream Registration
- Thurs., Aug. 10, 2023, Noon-1 pm: Leaf-free Streets for Clean Waters
  - Speakers: Phil Gaebler (City of Madison) and Christal Campbell (Dane Co. and MAMSWaP
  - Livestream Registration