The Ohio Chapter Water committee includes members and supporters across the state working together toward the following goals:
-Urging Hamilton county and the City of Columbus to significantly reduce sewer overflows with appropriate sewer system improvements and green infrastructure projects.
-Advocating for clean water solutions  that capture and filter rain water before it has the chance to pollute our rivers and streams.  Solutions include wetlands, forested river corridors, rain gardens, rain barrels, porous pavement, and native vegetation.
-Taking actions to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that impacts watersheds across the state and contributes to toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie.
-Educating Ohioans about individual actions that protect and conserve our water resources.
-Increasing volunteer involvement in clean water issues and developing plans for water testing.
To get involved, please contact Tony Szilagye, Water Committee Chair .
The Ohio Chapter Water Committee formed in 2009 to support expanding work to protect Ohio’s water resources.  The work primarily focuses on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which comes from agricultural and urban runoff, sewer systems, detergents, and lawn fertilizers. Local Sierra Club groups can also address on-going water protection work, which is often tied to the same pollution issues. The committee interacts through a monthly conference call, which takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30pm.

The Ohio Chapter Water Committee is working together to:
  • Activate our members and local Sierra Club groups to educate the public about nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and the unique threats to important waterways in their areas of the state.
  • Provide educational resources that encourage low-phosphate or phosphate-free fertilizers and detergents, while also encouraging the use of green practices that reduce polluted runoff such as rain gardens, rain barrels, pervious pavement, tree-planting, stream buffer preservation, and more.
  • Generate public pressure on the Ohio EPA to encourage standards for nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Standards will drive actions that reduce pollution from large agricultural sources.
  • Engage members and volunteers in water testing for priority watersheds, which will help track pollution and identify areas where further work is needed to reduce pollution.

Contact Tony Szilagye, Water Committee Chair, for more information and to get involved.