Northwest Arkansas Stormwater Program 2023 Impact

17 NWA cities, Benton and Washington Counties, and the U of A- Fayetteville partnered with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the NWA Regional Planning Commission on a proven and cost-effective way to meet EPA Phase 2 Stormwater Management Permit requirements.

2023 Annual Program Emphasis: Yard Waste Management

At 3 garden centers, displays were overseen by our knowledgeable staff where 65 people were educated on soil testing for fertilizer needs, and were able to submit soil samples for testing!

Educational postcards and letters were distributed to over 200 lawncare companies in NWA explaining the impacts of grass clippings and leaves on water quality- 222 employees from these companies pledged to keep grass clippings off streets.

Educational Postcard Examples

Pick Up Where You Play

Each fall, the NWA Stormwater Education program calls on community partners to come together on a regional effort to remove litter from recreational areas.

In 2023:

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Pick Up Where You Play was advertised through media outlets KNWA and KHOG.

Community Partnership

In 2023, we partnered with Ozark Beer Co. on Know the Flow Golden Lager.

With this partnership:

• 300 cases of the beer were circulated with an educational message on each can
  
  
• A new storm drain mural at the brewery was installed
  
  
• An Earth Day educational event at the brewery was conducted with 48 participants
  
  
• Koozies matching the can with educational content were distributed to 17 liquor stores in NWA
  
  
• A Water Trivia Night was held at the brewery with 32 participants

Educational Programming

533

Adults including construction professionals, educators, Master Gardeners, U of A students, public officials, and the general public participated in our programs on topics including construction BMPs, rain barrels, landscape management, pollution prevention, and more!

1,162

area children from 10 schools participated in programs on pollution prevention

1,095

individuals interacted with staffed displays at 13 local events

649

municipal employees participated in annual stormwater training on good-housekeeping and stormwater Best Management Practices

Individualized MS4 Audit and Compliance Support

As DEQ conducts MS4 stormwater permit audits in NWA, the regional program provides individualized audit support. Additional guidance is given to MS4s as unique situations arise to find resources that ensure they are staying compliant with federal and state stormwater regulations.

Visit these locations to see our work!

• Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center: installed signage, mural and green roof demo
• Mt. Kessler and Fayetteville Public Schools: provided plants and educational materials for riparian restoration
• UpStream Art: 41 storm drain murals throughout NWA with water quality messages

Social Media Presence

Instagram

• 97 educational messages
• 1,045 followers
• 1,214 engagements

"Consistent digital content from Know the Flow NWA reminds me how individual actions can affect stormwater on the community scale. When more neighbors commit to reducing stormwater and improving water quality, our neighborhood creek will be safer and cleaner for our kids to play in."

-David Criswell, Instagram follower

Facebook

• 79 educational messages
• 1,262 page likes
• 2,349 engagements

Want to join us in protecting local streams creeks and streams?

Check out these 10 Things You Can Do to Protect Stormwater, and follow #KnowtheFlowNWA on social media for more ideas!