Belleville, WI

Water that does not soak into the ground or evaporate is called storm water runoff. Storm water runoff flows over the ground surface and then into storm drains and ditches that empty directly into our local waterways.

Rain and snowmelt carry dirt, grease, trash and more from roads, parking lots and other hard surfaces into storm drains and ditches, and these empty directly into our waterways.  Storm water also carries excess nutrients, like phosphorus, which turns our lakes and streams green and smelly and harms fish.

A watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular waterway, be it a lake, stream or river.  Most of the storm water runoff in the Village of Belleville eventually drains into the Sugar River and Lake Belle View.

Upper Sugar River or Allen Creek and Middle Sugar River

• Be a pooper scooper and pick up after your pets
• Keep soil in your yard and out of our waterways
• Keep leaves and grass clippings out of ditches, swales and waterways
• Conserve water: keep your rain. Maximize infiltration in your yard by directing rain water away from paved areas.  Plant a rain garden filled with deep-rooted grasses and wildflowers to maximize water absorption into the ground.  If you don’t have a rain garden, aim downspouts to grassy areas or into a rain barrel.
• Join a local watershed or conservation group and help clean up waterways in your area.
• Use non-toxic alternatives to conventional household chemicals whenever possible.  When not possible, check the Dane County Clean Sweep Program www.danecountycleansweep.com.
• Don’t overfeed your lawn.
• Regularly maintain your can and fix any oil, radiator or transmission leak as soon as you see them.
• Use a proper container for trash and recyclables.
• If you see a potential storm water problem, such as clogged storm drains, trash in the gutter, pollutants washing into or discharging from storm sewers, or uncontrolled erosion from construction sites, contact the Village Public Works Department at 424-3666.