Curricula, Materials and Certified Educators

A Stormwater Fee Education Credit of 25% is available to public and private primary, elementary, and secondary school account holders recognized by the State of Ohio that provide to their students a regular and continuing program of education concentrating on stewardship of our water resources and minimization of demand on the regional stormwater system.

The rationale behind this credit is that the curriculum provided by the institution will assist NEORSD in education regarding our regional stormwater‐related water quality and quantity problems, and also instill an appreciation and stewardship of our water resources, providing long‐term benefits and/or decreases in the demand on the regional stormwater system and program.

NEORSD provides Watershed Education Curriculum (WEC) materials that schools may use to obtain the Education Credit. These materials will reflect the grade‐level Ohio Academic Content Standards and include specific outcomes. Grade levels 3, 5, 7, and 10 have been targeted for NEORSD’s WEC program. Schools must apply for this option by June 1 of the preceding school year to ensure workbook and manual availability.

Note To Educators & School Districts: We provide these documents online below for reference, but to qualify for and receive stormwater fee credit in your school district, you must apply for the credit. Download our Stormwater Fee Credit Manual, and see Section VIII: Education Credit for details and requirements.

A watershed is the area of land that drains into a body of water. The largest watershed in Northeast Ohio is Lake Erie. To the left is a simple illustration of a typical watershed.

Protecting the Lake Erie watershed and the more than two dozen smaller watersheds that drain into the lake is important to the environment, public health, and the economic well-being of Greater Cleveland. When stormwater runoff is not managed properly, the result is flooded streets and properties, land erosion, and overrun sewers. All of these occurrences deposit pollutants into area streams and rivers, and the lake.

Quick links?

• WATERSHEDS: Map of 5 major watersheds in NE Ohio
• WATER CYCLE: See how water flows in an urban area
• RAIN GARDENS: Rain Garden Manual
• NATIVE PLANTS: Cleveland Metroparks Native Plant Guide
• RAIN BARRELS: About rain barrels