Protecting Waterways Through Dry Weather Screening

Muskegon County, MI –  – The Muskegon County Road Commission, in partnership with the Muskegon Conservation District, is raising awareness about an important stormwater protection tool: Dry Weather Screening.

Dry weather screening is a proactive field method used by local agencies to detect harmful or illegal discharges into municipal stormwater systems. This process helps identify pollutants entering our storm drains during periods without rainfall, when no flow should be occurring.

"Stormwater runoff may seem harmless, but it can carry pollutants like oil, fertilizers, soaps, and debris directly into our lakes, rivers, and wetlands," said a spokesperson for the Muskegon County Road Commission. "What enters a storm drain is not treated—it flows directly into the environment."

Local governments across Michigan, including Muskegon County, are required to manage stormwater through a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. A key part of that permit is a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges—any discharge into a storm sewer system that isn’t made up entirely of clean stormwater.

Examples of illicit discharge pollutants include:

• Detergents and cleaning agents

• Fertilizers and pesticides

• Fuels and automotive fluids

• Grass clippings and yard waste

• Animal waste and sediment runoff

• Chemicals requiring a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The public plays an important role in protecting local water quality. If you notice an unusual discharge or flow from a storm drain during dry weather, please report it immediately:

• If hazardous: Call 911 right away.

• If not hazardous: Contact your local public works department:

  • City of Muskegon: (231) 724-4100

  • Muskegon Heights: (231) 733-8870

  • North Muskegon: (231) 744-1621

  • Norton Shores: (231) 799-6803

  • Roosevelt Park: (231) 755-3721

  • Muskegon Water Resource Commission: (231) 724-6219

  • Muskegon County Road Commission: (231) 788-2381

If you are unable to reach a municipal staff member, the Muskegon Conservation District is also available at (231) 828-5097.

By working together, residents and agencies can help prevent pollution and protect Muskegon County’s water resources for generations to come. For more information about stormwater protection or the Muskegon County Road Commission’s environmental efforts, visit www.muskegonroads.org.