Welcome to the Official Site of Zionsville, IN!

Zionsville Stormwater Quality Management Program

The Town of Zionsville is required by the Clean Water Act and Indiana Rule 13 (327 IAC 15-13) to implement a Stormwater Quality Management Program (SWQMP).  The goal of the program is to protect our local lakes and streams from pollution and other threats and to promote good community stewardship of these precious resources. A critical component of any effective water quality program is educating the community about water quality problems and informing people about what they can do to prevent pollution and have a positive impact on local water quality. Below you will find information about our water quality program activities and also links to water quality information and a variety of other resources.  To learn more about Zionsville’s Stormwater Quality Management Program, click on the Rule 13 Stormwater Program link in the Services menu on the left side of this page.

 

Clear Choices Clean Water

Zionsville is an active participant in the Upper White River Watershed Alliance.  The Alliance includes a group of other communities located in our watershed that works together to achieve the goal of clean water.  Through this participation, our town has helped to develop a clean water campaign called Clear Choices Clean Water.  The goal of the campaign is to get members of our community to take a pledge to adopt behaviors that promote clean water such as eliminating the use of phosphorus fertilizer on their lawns, using natural landscaping practices at home, cleaning up after their pets and properly maintaining their septics systems.  Click here to learn more about the campaign, take a clean water pledge or to see who else in your community is taking a pledge.

 

USGS Stream Gauge on Eagle Creek

The Town of Zionsville has partnered with the US Geological Survey to install water quality monitoring equipment at the existing stream flow gauge located on Eagle Creek at Creekside Park.  Eagle Creek is the main tributary to Eagle Creek Reservoir which is a drinking water source for Zionsville and other communities in central Indiana.  The gauge provides real-time water quality data for a number of water quality parameters including specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, temperature, and nitrate nitrogen.  Monitoring the health of Eagle Creek will help Zionsville protect this critical community resource by allowing us to target specific water quality problems and identify potential illegal discharges to the stream.  Click here to access the USGS stream gauge website.

 

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a landscaped area of your yard that is designed to capture, temporarily store and infiltrate stormwater runoff.  These specialized gardens can be effective in managing water from your gutter downspouts, sump pumps and other sources of drainage problems on your property.  Rain gardens are constructed by creating a shallow depression that is planted with deep-rooted native plants.  Not only can rain gardens be effective in managing drainage on your property but they also remove harmful pollutants from runoff before it leaves your yard.  To learn more about the benefits of rain gardens or how to build a rain garden, click here to link to the City of Fort Wayne’s Rain Garden Program where you can access their comprehensive Rain Garden Manual.

 

Conserve Water with Rain Barrels

The Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Town of Zionsville Stormwater Department are working together to encourage the general public to do their part to conserve our precious water resources. A great to save water at home is to use a rain barrel to capture water from your gutter downspouts which is then stored for later use to irrigate your flowers, shrubs and gardens.  Rain barrels are a great way to reinvest in the environment and save money on annual watering costs.

The Boone County SWCD has available for purchase several styles of rain barrels including re-purposed 55 gallon food-grade plastic barrels that are ready to use with spigots and an overflow system. These barrels can be used individually or multiple barrels can be installed to provide even greater water storage.  For information about rain barrels, please contact the Boone County SWCD at 765-483-4449 or by e-mail at jtranbarger@co.boone.in.us or svaughn@co.boone.in.us or contact Gavin Merriman with the Zionsville Stormwater Department at 317-873-4544 or by e-mail at gmerriman@zionsville-in.gov.   Click here for a copy of the Boone County SWCD’s rain barrel brochure and order form.

 

Water Quality Programs and Activities

Indiana DNR – Resource Education Center
US EPA – Kids Non-Point Source Pollution Page
IDEM - Non Point Source Pollution Page

 

Water Quality Media

Interview with a Goose
Dog Doogity
Wasting Water is Weird

 

Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling

Many of the common chemicals and other products found around your home, under the sink, in the garage or in the shed are not appropriate for disposal in your regular curbside trash or in landfills. These materials, such as pesticides, automotive fluids and VOC-based paints, are known as household hazardous waste.  The Boone County Solid Waste Management District (BCSWMD) organizes two annual hazardous waste drop-off days where residents can conveniently and responsibly dispose of their waste for free. One of these two events is typically held at the Zionsville Town Hall in August of each year. The BCSWMD also offers a voucher program to all Boone County residents allowing them to dispose of their household hazardous waste for free at approved locations throughout the year. For more information about these and other programs, click here for a copy of the Hazardous Waste Voucher Program flier or contact the BCSWMD at 765-483-0687 or visit their website by clicking here.  

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