The City of San Marcos and Texas State University are unveiling a new stormwater educational campaign, “What Goes Here Flows Here,” focused on reducing the effects of urban stormwater runoff on area creeks and rivers, including the San Marcos River.
The public is invited to visit with City and University staff at the April 23 Spring Keep San Marcos Beautiful Concert. Educational materials and free giveaways will be available at a booth promoting the stormwater program.
“The San Marcos River and its ecosystem are fragile, critical resources to the city and its surrounding communities, and it is vital that we take prudent steps to conserve and protect the river and the habitat it supports,” said Denise Trauth, President of Texas State University. “We are pleased to be partnering with the City to heighten awareness and improve our efforts to keep the San Marcos River a vibrant part of this community.”
In 2014, the City of San Marcos and Texas State were both officially designated as Phase 2 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. As such, both entities were required to develop a Stormwater Management Program that includes public education, outreach, and involvement among other criteria.
This awareness campaign is part of a joint education effort between the City and University to comply with the requirements of the Texas Pollution Elimination Discharge System (TPDES) stormwater permit. Other awareness activities have included an art contest, storm drain inlet marking, and #ChallengeSMTX, a social media campaign that encourages people to pick up trash, post a picture on social media, and challenge their friends and family to do the same.
San Marcos was recently named the fastest growing city in the nation, and the student population of Texas State has steadily grown for the past several years.
“Urbanization means a potential for more pollution,” said Shawn Wolfshohl, Storm Water Systems Manager. “Public education goes a long way toward reducing the amount of pollutants that enter our storm drains—and ultimately the San Marcos River.”
For more information, contact Shawn Wolfshohl at the City of San Marcos Transportation Division, 512.393.8036 or Texas State University Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department, 512.245.3616.