The Clean Water Contractor (CWC) Program is devoted to providing training and relating information that saves contractors time, money, and resources while addressing local stormwater quality issues. The CWC Program was developed as an adaptive approach to confronting water quality issues in the Erie County area, as well as in response to a need for increased permit compliance and understanding. According to an Ohio EPA Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report, over 54% of Ohio watersheds are impaired due to silt and sedimentation. While trainings for stormwater professionals have always been a focus of both Erie Conservation District and Old Woman Creek Research Reserve in the past, it became clear that a niche existed for site contractors in particular. In response to this, the Clean Water Contractor Program was launched in 2014.

Erie Conservation District and Old Woman Creek created a working group that developed goals for the CWC Program, which include: expanding on-the-job skill sets and NPDES Permit knowledge, establishing open lines of communication between contractors and local Phase II program agencies, and sharing helpful information about environmental impacts to keep local construction sites in compliance.

The CWC Program started with 10 companies represented at the first training; the second year more than doubled with 26 construction companies in attendance, and has since grown to include nearly 70 businesses. Contractors are asked to sign a pledge card, given CWC decals to display on job sites or equipment, and are recognized as a Clean Water Contractor through online and print marketing. 

To be recognized as a Clean Water Contractor, the contractor must achieve the following:

1. Attend the Annual Clean Water Contractor Expo (held in February)
2. Sign a pledge card to be kept on-file at Erie Conservation District
3. Remain free of local violations pertaining to stormwater runoff

Our inaugural Clean Water Contractors deserve additional recognition, as they have been faithful participants in the Clean Water Contractor Program since its inception in 2014. These companies lead by example by upholding the values of the program, remain free from local violations pertaining to stormwater runoff, and encourage their peers to do the same. Congratulations to our five inaugural Clean Water Contractor companies!