FRESH REMINDERS

Paint on pavement aims to improve water quality

A local group hopes paint on pavement will raise public awareness and keep Lake Erie and the Black River a little cleaner.

The Lorain County Kayak & Paddlesports Group, the city of Lorain and volunteers are reminding pedestrians that “Lake Erie Starts Here.”

“Here” are the metal grates of storm sewer drains that punctuate Lorain’s streets.

Those grates lead to underground channels that help rainwater drain off the roadway, making it safe for drivers and walkers.

But many people don’t know the storm sewers lead directly to the Black River or Lake Erie, so dumping leaves, grass, garbage or other waste into them causes pollution in those waterways, said Robb Koscho and Stephanee Moore Koscho of Lorain.

“All of the storm drains are just a direct tunnel, to either the Black River or Lake Erie, to an outfall,” Moore Koscho said. “There’s no filter, no nothing to stop any of the garbage.

“But a lot of people don’t realize that. They think maybe it goes into the sewer system or maybe there’s a filter somewhere, but it’s just a direct outfall into the waterways.”

As they work with water conservation programs with children and adults, Koscho said he was shocked at how many people don’t realize the storm sewer drain to the lake.

They are the co-founders of the Black River CleanUp, the annual spring litterpicking event along Lorain’s shoreline.

That clean-up was canceled this year due to the ban on social gatherings to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus.

But the Koschos put out a call for volunteers to help mark the storm sewers with the reminder.

The city of Lorain Engineering Department created the stencil.

Volunteers Karen and Brian Frederick, with their dog, Freddie, used white paint to mark the grates on Broadway the afternoon of May 5.

Frederick said he has spent more time fly fishing since retiring as president and CEO of the Community

Lorain streets bear notice that “Lake Erie Starts Here,” on Broadway Avenue in Lorain. The phrase means water — and garbage — that flows down the city of Lorain storm sewers eventually ends up in the Black River or Lake Erie.

Foundation of Lorain County.

“So, I’ve gotten a lot more sensitive about the quality of our rivers and streams and water going into Lake Erie,” he said. “So this was kind of a natural.

“All of the storm drains are just a direct tunnel, to either the Black River or Lake Erie, to an outfall.” — Stephanee Moore Koscho, Lorain

“Plus, what else are we going to do but sit home and watch TV?”

The time was opportune because the weather was dry and foot traffic was at a minimum.

The Koschos and other volunteers have put down the paint occasionally over the last three years.

They have marked about 60 of the city’s storm drains in Lorain neighborhoods.

There also are signs with the same reminder at bridges over other waterways, such as Martins Run.

Get involved: Volunteers clean up the Black River waterway and shore areas. Join in at FACEBOOK.COM/LOCOYAKS/. RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Volunteers Brian and Karen Frederick use paint and a stencil to remind walkers and drivers that “Lake Erie Starts Here,” May 5on Broadway Avenue in Lorain.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Volunteers Karen and Brian Frederick use paint and a stencil to remind walkers and drivers that “Lake Erie Starts Here,” May 5 on Broadway Avenue in Lorain. The project to spray paint more of the reminders is supported by the city of Lorain and Lorain County Kayak & Paddlesports Group.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL