Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium : Public Service : Clemson University : South Carolina

Lexington County Stormwater Consortium

ANNOUNCEMENT: Beginning May 29, 2012, there will no longer be LCSC webpages through this Clemson Carolina Clear website. For more information on this change, please contact Nell at (803) 359-8515 ext. 121 or continue to look for stormwater related news in Lexington County at http://www.lex-co.com/Departments/publicworks/swoutreach.html.

The Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium (LCSC) works to educate and involve the citizens of Lexington County on ways to keep local waterways clean. As part of this effort, LCSC is focusing educational efforts on three primary pollutants that affect water quality, pet waste, civic car washes and lawn care practices. Three exciting new programs have been adopted in these areas that provide new opportunities to improve our natural resources. Click on the links below to learn more about our efforts and how you can participate in our initiatives.

4-H2O Summer Programs

Looking for a summer program for your 10-14 year old that is both educational and tons of fun? Would your child enjoy swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing and hiking sound, while learning about biology, history, forestry and the environment? 4-H2O summer programs are much more than day camps - they are unique opportunities for youth to build an appreciation and understanding of Lexington and Richland County's lakes, rivers and streams. At "Exploring Lake Murray" students will tour the lake on pontoon boats, swim each day, and learn about fishing and preventing water pollution. Older students, and kids who have already experienced "Exploring Lake Murray" can attend "Exploring the Congaree Watershed." This more advanced program includes canoeing, hiking, studying forestry, ecosystems, and more. Follow the links below for more information!

4-H2O Exploring the Congaree Watershed (formerly Water, Woods and Wetlands)
- June 25-29, Harbison State Forest, ages 11-14
- Print Registration Form

4-H2O Exploring Lake Murray is now FULL!

4-H2O Exploring Lake Murray (formerly Pontoon Classroom)
- June 11-15, SCE&G recreation area at Lake Murray, ages 10-12
- Email mnevins@clemson.edu to be added to the waiting list and/or to the mailing list for next year's camps.

Photo slide show from last year's camps!

Rain Garden Design Plan

Our congratulations go out to the Town of Lexington as they are recognized for their revitalization effort of Corley Street Park. (Read “The State” News article). We are extremely proud of the fact that the 'Rain Garden Workshop for Professionals' served as an educational model for engineers, landscape designers, and other professionals in the landscape business. Now the teaching tool can be used as a location to receive persons who wonder what a bona fide rain garden looks like and how it functions. Likewise, the visitors to the park can read the educational sign at the garden and learn that there are tools that can be utilized to let runoff pollutants naturally in-filter into the soil and be utilized by plants. With the educational sign they will find our web address and where to learn more about nonpoint pollution issues and the things that they can do to protect the creeks, streams, and lakes here in Lexington County.

Out and About ...

"Green" Car Wash Fundraisers

As summer heats up the fund raiser car washes seem to pop up everywhere. All of these good civic community efforts would be well and good if it were not for the fact that the pollutant runoffs from these events that are held on pavements make their way into our creeks and streams and eventually our lakes. As you see the soap and other harmful hydrocarbon pollutants from cars disappear into the storm drains in the parking lots it is NOT being treated by any wastewater facility. Learn more about ways to fund raise through Civic Car Wash partnerships or learn how to wash your car in a more environmentally friendly way. Link to Civic Car Washes page for more information!

4-H2O Pontoon Classroom

20 students from Lexington and Richland Counties got a week full of summer fun and learning at the 2011 4-H2O Pontoon Classroom on Lake Murray! This day camp introduces kids to water quality, marine biology, local history, wildlife, and fishing. Campers tour the lake by pontoon boat, study macroinvertebrates, visit a water treatment plant, swim, learn to fish, and more. Thank you to all of our great sponsors and guest speakers who made this program possible! Click on the slide show above to view photos and details from this year's program.

4-H2O Environmental Classroom 2011

For older students, 4-H2O Environmental Classroom builds on knowledge from Pontoon Classroom and adds forestry for an extra challenge. Students canoe at Congaree Park, tour a fish hatchery and SCE&G's testing lab, search a creek for macroinvertebrates (bugs!) and dissect a fish! Thank you to all our wonderful guest speakers - we learned so much, and had a great time.

Marking Stormdrains Educates Homeowners

Storm Drain Marker Image Each year, millions of dollars are being spent by State and Federal governments to control stormwater runoff and its impacts. Increased runoff causes potential for flooding and increased pollution that affects our states drinking and recreational water sources. As the rain falls or the snow melts it carries with it any pollutants from the streets such as gas, oil, antifreeze, and any spilled materials or trash that may be on the road. As it runs across private driveways and yards, stormwater collects pet wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and, of course, anything that may be leaking from the family car or lawnmowers and carries all of this into the streets and into the stormdrains. Read more...