Programs/Resource Links

Programs

Greenwood Village's Stormwater MS4 Permit Description Document (PDD) is available for public review and comment. A copy of the PDD may be reviewed by emailing the Public Works Department.

Greenwood Village participates in the following activities and programs to improve water quality.

Street Sweeping

The Village sweeps every publicly maintained asphalt or concrete street an average of once a month, weather permitting. This activity helps maintain a clean environment by keeping pollutants from entering our water or from polluting our air.

Pet Waste Stations


At many parks, the Village provides free pet waste bags. It has been estimated that one gram of dog poop can contain 23 million fecal coli form bacteria! This bacteria can cause people to get sick. While many people think of pet waste as merely a nuisance, it greatly affects water quality and our drinking water supplies. The free bags are provided so pet owners will clean up after their pets and properly dispose of the waste. This helps to keep our environment clean and safe. Scoop the Poop

Leaf Recycling

Each fall the Village participants in a leaf recycling program. Through this program residents may drop off their dead leaves at designated sites. By sponsoring this program, the Village hopes to keep dead leaves from choking our ditches and waterways. If these leaves reach our streams and lakes, they decompose and remove oxygen from the water. The lower oxygen levels will harm fish and may even cause fish and other aquatic wildlife to die.

Nutrients and Fertilizers

One of the most abundant pollutants in stormwater runoff that affects waterways, particularly the Cherry Creek watershed, is excess nutrients, including phosphorous and nitrogen which occur from fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide use and improperly disposed of pet waste.  Too much nitrogen and phosphorous in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle, resulting in low dissolved oxygen levels which can affect fish and other aquatic life.  

There are several things residents can do to reduce the potential of nutrients getting into our waterways.  For more information view a helpful brochure from the Colorado Stormwater Council and the Arapahoe County SPLASH Group.  In order to reduce nutrient loading to waterways, the Village uses control measures to properly apply fertilizers.  This is done by performing soil testing, checking the weather and using the correct amount of fertilizer to optimize applications.  The Village also performs mulch mowing to ensure that the clippings remain on the grass and are not swept or blown into our curb and gutters or the inlets that lead to the nearest waterway. You can do your part to help protect the environment by testing your soil, using the right amount of fertilizer at the right time, and making sure to sweep your grass clippings back into your yard and not into the street.  

You can contact your Arapahoe County Master Gardeners for more information on soil testing or click here to learn more on soil test kits and testing.

Herbicide Use


In order to reduce herbicide use, which could hurt water quality, the Village uses hand-pulling methods to remove unwanted vegetation. When this method is not practical, the Village uses spot spraying. During spot spraying operations, herbicide is applied to each weed. Only in rare cases will the Village use broadcast spraying techniques, in which herbicide is applied to an entire area. By reducing the amount of herbicide applied, the Village is helping water quality.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program


The Village provides, free of charge, curbside pickup of residential household waste. Many household products, such as paint, solvent and motor oil, should not be disposed of in the trash or washed down the drain. By participating in this program, residents help ensure that these products are not accidentally or intentionally released into the environment. It is estimated that a single quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Residents may call 1-800-449-7587 to schedule a pick up.

Also, the Village is a sponsor of the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners. This organization has taken an active role in protecting the water quality of Cherry Creek Reservoir. By protecting the water quality of Cherry Creek Reservoir, Village residents can better enjoy the Park's amenities.

Resource Links


Articles from The Greenwood Village Newsletter:


Water Quality Links


For further information on water quality or the CDPS MS4 Permit, please contact the Public Works Department at 303-708-6100.