Clean Lakes Education And Restoration (CLEAR)
The City of Tallahassee Clean Lakes Education And Restoration (CLEAR) Project was developed in conjunction with the City Stormwater Quality Program to educate residents on the stormwater pollution issues facing our community and provide information of how you can make Tallahassee's lakes and streams cleaner. Clean lakes, clean drinking water and a healthy environment are important parts of your community. Reducing stormwater pollution takes both community and government involvement. More information may be found below or by calling the City's Stormwater Management Division.
- Learn more about the CLEAR Project (PDF)
- Tips on how you can reduce stormwater pollution (PDF)
- CLEAR utility insert (PDF)
- Fact Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fact Sheet
- A total of 66 named lakes and ponds lie within or border the area of the City along with numerous smaller water bodies. Their size varies from large (5500 acres) to small (1/2 acres or less).
- Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicate that polluted stormwater is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40% of the surveyed water bodies in the country.
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, stormwater runoff is the number one threat to our fresh water supply today.
- Stormwater management ponds provide three main benefits:
- Pollutant removal - Stormwater ponds have some of the best water quality performance capabilities of any stormwater treatment practice. This is in large part due to the residence time and settling properties of the permanent pool. Stormwater ponds collect stormwater runoff which allows pollutants to settle out, keeping them from contaminating area lakes and streams.
- Stream bank protection - If not controlled, accumulating runoff from stormwater will erode stream banks and cause sediment to enter the water, making it unfit for aquatic life. This stream bank erosion also causes the streams to become wider and shallower, eliminating habitat for beneficial insects and fish.
- Flood control - Stormwater ponds provide flood control, preventing damage to roads, homes and personal property.
- Stormwater runoff is not just clean rain. It carries dirt, trash, oil and other pollutants from yards, streets, driveways, parking lots and rooftops into the nearest waterways.
- There are three main types of stormwater pollution:
- Litter, such as cigarette butts, cans, paper or plastic bags (sometimes called gross pollutants).
- Chemical pollution, such as detergents, oil or fertilizers.
- Natural pollution, such as leaves, garden clippings, animal droppings, sediment and silt.
- A sewer system and a storm drain system are not the same. These two systems are completely different. The water that goes down a sink or toilet in your home or business flows to a wastewater treatment plant where it is treated and filtered. Water that flows down driveways, streets or gutters goes down a storm drain and, in older systems, may flow directly to a stream or lake. This water may pick up pollutants along the way which are never treated.
- Less than 1% of the water on the earth can actually be used by human beings.
- Landscaping, such as rain gardens, can help reduce stormwater runoff. Rain gardens help soak up rainwater runoff from your roof, driveway and lawn. Rain gardens allow rainwater runoff to pool and soak into the ground, allowing the grass to naturally filter the water.
- Since 1990, the City of Tallahassee Stormwater Management Division has completed 70 Capital Stormwater Improvement Projects, along with numerous smaller projects.
- Under requirements of the Clean Water Act, the State of Florida has evaluated and designated water bodies that are impaired as a result of pollution.
- Tallahassee has numerous water ways that are on the State of Florida's list of impaired waters. They include: the Northeast Drainage Ditch, Upper and Lower Lake Lafayette, Alford Arm, Lake Jackson, Lake Munson, Munson Slough and Lake Piney-Z
Frequently Asked Questions
Question
Isn't stormwater runoff natural and harmless because it consists of just rainwater?
Answer
The rain is not to blame for the problems caused by stormwater runoff. Indeed, rainfall is natural and harmless, but the pollution that contaminates it during its journey over roads, parking lots, buildings and other impervious structures is not. Additionally, stormwater picks up contamination from lawns and other landscaped areas in the form of fertilizers and other chemicals. Unfortunately, the result is an increase in the volume and speed of the stormwater runoff, in addition to pollution of area water bodies.
Question
Who is responsible for controlling stormwater pollution?
Answer
All of us are responsible for stormwater pollution. Individual residents can reduce personal pollution (such as decreasing fertilizers on our lawns or fixing our cars that leak oil or antifreeze). Government entities must create responsible and efficient stormwater facilities, as well as provide educational outreach to the public to help combat stormwater pollution issues.
Question
What has the City of Tallahassee done to fight the stormwater issues in city?
Answer
Since its implementation, the Stormwater Management Division has completed 70 Capital Stormwater Improvement Projects, along with numerous smaller projects. Additionally, the City of Tallahassee has launched the Clean Lakes Education And Restoration (CLEAR) Project to inform and educate Tallahassee residents about water quality.
Question
What can Tallahassee residents do to stop stormwater pollution from going into our lakes?
Answer
Stormwater pollution is an issue facing all of us. Residents can help reduce stormwater pollution by reducing their personal pollution and following some simple tips. Visit the Think About Personal Pollution site for more information.
Question
What are the benefits of controlling pollution from stormwater runoff?
Answer
If we reduce pollutants in stormwater, we gain the benefit of cleaner and healthier lakes and streams. Cleaner water provides a better environment for our native plants and animals and provides us with places of recreation and enjoyment. Additionally, stopping stormwater pollution can help prevent future drinking water problems.
Question
What solutions exist to solve stormwater problems?
Answer
Solutions to stormwater runoff include storm water ponds, regional stormwater facilities and community education programs. Stormwater problems can be reduced or prevented through responsible and efficient design of public works, pollution prevention and homeowner practices.
Question
What are the benefits of a stormwater pond?
Answer
Stormwater management ponds provide three main benefits:
1) Pollutant removal - Stormwater ponds have some of the best water quality performance capabilities of any stormwater treatment practice. Stormwater ponds collect stormwater runoff which allows pollutants to settle out, lower contamination of area lakes and streams.
2) Stream bank protection - If not controlled, accumulating runoff from stormwater will erode stream banks and cause sediment to enter the water, making it unfit for aquatic life. This stream bank erosion also causes the streams to become wider and shallower, eliminating habitat for beneficial insects and fish.
3) Flood control – Stormwater ponds provide flood control, preventing damage to roads, homes and personal property.
Question
Does stormwater runoff cause significant harm to our lakes?
Answer
Stormwater is one of the most significant sources of pollution in our rivers, lakes and estuaries. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, stormwater is the second largest source of water quality damage in estuaries and a significant contributor to the damage to lakes, rivers and bays.
Question
What are the main stormwater pollutants?
Answer
Stormwater pollution may be divided into three categories:
1) Natural – organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and soil sediment
2) Chemical – such as detergents, fertilizers, oil, antifreeze and greases
3) Litter – such as plastic bags, drink containers, wrappers and cigarette butts