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cityofardenhills.org • Jan/Feb 2024 • 7 6 • Arden Hills Notes • Jan/Feb 2024 cityofardenhills.org • Jan/Feb 2024 • 7
<br />Protecting City Stormwater Ponds Electronics Recycling
<br />When the rain and snow come, City stormwater ponds and wetlands work especially hard to take care of the extra
<br />water. Stormwater not properly managed can contaminate streams, rivers, and lakes and destroy aquatic habitats,
<br />plants, fish, and animals. Below is information about these systems and what you can do to help protect them.
<br />Stormwater Ponds vs. Wetlands
<br />Both stormwater ponds and wetlands capture and treat stormwater runoff. Stormwater ponds are manufactured and
<br />designed to collect and catch water runoff in developed areas. Wetlands are distinct ecosystems that are permanently
<br />or seasonally full of water.
<br />Algae blooms or aquatic plants in ponds and lakes need nutrients to grow. Pollutants or nutrients that enter a pond
<br />through stormwater runoff can lead to large algae blooms, excess plant growth, or even hurt wildlife.
<br />An overabundance of plant and algae growth may inhibit a stormwater pond’s function and degrade the pond’s
<br />water quality. More importantly, however, the degradation of a stormwater pond results in polluting the watershed
<br />or drainage area around a lake, stream, wetland, or pond. This
<br />negatively affects water quality, adversely affecting plant and
<br />animal life, and decreases the recreational potential for these
<br />bodies of water.
<br /> Common pollutants that are washed into stormwater ponds and wetlands include:
<br />• Fertilizers and pesticides from lawn care
<br />• Animal waste and debris
<br />• Lawn clippings or leaves
<br />• Oil or grease from vehicles
<br />• Road salt
<br />
<br />What You Can Do:
<br />1. Seal your trash bags and keep litter out of the street.
<br />2. Use pesticides and herbicides sparingly.
<br />3. Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
<br />4. Wash your vehicle on your lawn instead of the driveway so the water infiltrates the ground.
<br />5. Keep your car maintained so it does not leak fluids onto the streets.
<br />6. Maintain healthy sod and grass to limit erosion. Reseed or re-sod all bare areas to keep stormwater from washing
<br />soil particles that contain phosphorus into a storm sewer or pond.
<br />7. Be aware of where your storm drain is and keep it free of debris.
<br />
<br />City’s Responsibility:
<br />The City does not treat stormwater ponds or wetlands for algae, weeds, odors, or other aesthetic problems, but they
<br />are responsible for the following tasks:
<br />1. Maintenance of the “hydraulic and treatment function” of water resources located within City-owned property,
<br />drainage, or utility easements.
<br />2. Removal of sediment accumulation, obstructions, and debris that impede the flow of water and clearing clogged
<br />stormwater pipes.
<br />3. For drainage concerns or pollution and water quality concerns, contact City Hall staff at 651-792-7800.
<br />Did you get any new electronics this holiday season? Is it time to recycle those old ones? Read on to find out where to
<br />recycle your electronics safely!
<br />Ramsey County has partnered with Repowered to offer recycling of televisions, computers, and devices that connect
<br />to them, such as DVD players, keyboards, and printers, for FREE. This partnership is for Ramsey County residents only.
<br />Ramsey County residents can bring unwanted electronics to Repowered’s Saint Paul location through this partnership.
<br />Electronics from businesses and out-of-county residents are not part of this
<br />program but are still accepted at
<br />Repowered for a fee.
<br />Items accepted:
<br />• Cameras, camcorders, and accessories, including chargers and memory
<br />cards.
<br />• Cell phones and accessories, including chargers, adapters, and headphones.
<br />• Computers and accessories, including
<br />monitors, laptops, tablets, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers and scanners.
<br />• Televisions and accessories, including VCRs, DVRs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and cable boxes.
<br />Visit ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-waste/collection-sites/electronics-recycling for a list of items *not*
<br />accepted, frequently asked questions and more pertinent information. Learn more about Repowered at
<br />getrepowered.org.
<br /> Repowered hours and location:
<br />860 Vandalia St.
<br />Saint Paul, MN 55114
<br />EyeOnWater
<br />Are you looking for a way to monitor your water consumption
<br />and avoid surprise charges for a leaky toilet? EyeOnWater is
<br />an online tool that will help residents monitor and conserve
<br />water.
<br />EyeOnWater allows customers to easily view and understand
<br />their water usage throughout the billing cycle with
<br />consumption graphs. It also allows tracking usage and establishing alerts to detect high usage caused by a leaky toilet,
<br />sprinkler system, or something similar.
<br />EyeOnWater can be accessed online or via a mobile app. Follow these simple steps:
<br />• Visit eyeonwater.com/signup.
<br />• Enter your service or billing Postal Code and account number (all nine digits with no dash), which can be found on
<br />your utility bill.
<br />• Enter your email and create a password.
<br />Only one email address can be attached to an account. Priority will be given to property owners over tenants for
<br />access to the online tool.
<br />If you need assisting using EyeOnWater, please visit helpeyeonwater.com.
<br />Photo of a wet detention (stormwater) pond
<br />City Hall Closed on President’s Day
<br />In observance of President’s Day, City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 19. Regular hours will resume the
<br />following day. Police and firefighters will remain on duty. For immediate emergencies, always call 9-1-1.
<br />Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
<br />Second and fourth Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
<br />Closed: Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after
<br />Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
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