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City of Goshen awarded state volunteerism award

Friday, December 1, 2023

The Environmental Resilience Department poses with the award. Back L to R: Lee Bergey; Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Director of Environmental Resilience; Levi Moser. Front L to R: Theresa Sailor, Education Grant Writer; Melanie Helmuth, Urban Forestry Assistant; Acadia Imhof; Alexa Kennel; Brandi Devoe,... more

Notice of Adoption of City of Goshen Ordinance 5171

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Notice is given that Ordinance 5171, Amending Ordinance Violations Bureau, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on November 13, 2023, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty. Ordinance 5171 describes and continues the operation of previously established City of Goshen Ordinance Violations Bureau;... more

Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5170

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Notice is given that Ordinance 5170, Regulation of Open Burning in the City of Goshen and Providing Penalties for Violations of Such Regulations, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on November 13, 2023, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty. Ordinance 5170 prohibits open burning in the... more

Upcoming Events All »

Board of Works

Today, 2:00pm

To join the webinar please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88469251269 or call +1 312 626 6799. Webinar ID: 884 6925 1269 Comments are no longer taken online.

City Council

Today, 6:00pm

To view a live stream of this meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89721515585 or call +1 305 224 1968, Webinar ID: 897 2151 5585. Comments are no longer taken online.

Downtown Goshen EID

Thursday, December 7, 2023, 7:30am

Downtown Goshen Economic Improvement District

Stormwater Management

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The Elkhart River Downstream of the Goshen Dam

Welcome to the Goshen Department of Stormwater Management

Storm Drains Loving some Fall Company

Storm Drains Love some Fall Themed Company

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from snow and ice melting, as well as rainwater from storms. When rain or melting snow and ice fall or flow across natural surfaces like forests and grassy areas, most of it will soak into the soil. When it lands on streets, parking lots, and other hard surfaces, it runs off to another location like a storm drain or a local waterway.

What is Stormwater Pollution?

As stormwater flows (or snow melts), it picks up debris (such as trash, grass clippings, etc.), chemicals (such as fertilizers and pesticides), sediment, and other pollutants. This "contaminated" water then enters a storm sewer system and is eventually discharged to a local wetland, stream, or river.

Why is Stormwater Pollution a Concern? 

Within the City of Goshen and other urban areas, stormwater runoff comes from yards, roofs, driveways, parking lots, construction sites, and streets (these are all called hard surfaces except for yards), and flows into miles of storm sewers, swales, and ditches located under or next to our City streets and eventually reaches our local waterways. Stormwater picks up oil, grease, sediments, automotive fluids, trash, lawn chemicals, and other pollutants that are harmful to the environment and is often discharged/released into our local waterways untreated.

Untreated stormwater affects our ability to use our local water bodies for drinking, fishing, and recreational purposes and it degrades fish and other aquatic habitats. The only way to lessen stormwater pollution is to reduce the amount of pollutants washed away by stormwater. The goal of the Department of Stormwater Management is "Clean Water for Everyone".


For more information on the Department of Stormwater Management and the Staff, click here.

Important Links

Federal and state laws and local ordinances

Report-A-Pollutant

Educational Resources

​Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter

November 2023 - This month's newsletter offers a message of thanksgiving and celebrates November 16 as National Stormwater Day. It also provides a name for the smell in the air after a rainstorm in the summertime and gives a warning for how to deal with fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) during the holiday season. 

October 2023 - This month's newsletter celebrates the New Water Year and why knowing how much water falls across an area is essential. It also pulls back the history of the word "Hydrology" and draws attention to the annual value of water: $58 Trillion!

We want to hear from you! Email questions and suggestions regarding the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter to stormwater@goshencity.com.

To see past editions of the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter click here.

Stormwater News

Upcoming Meeting Dates

  • Goshen Stormwater Board - Every Monday at 2:00 pm in the Police/Courts Building (111 East Jefferson Street)
  • MS4 Advisory Board - To be Announced at the Elkhart County Public Services Building (4230 Elkhart Road, Goshen, IN 46526) 
  • Partnership Stormwater Board Meeting - The fourth Monday of every month, at 9:00 am at the County Administration Building (117 N. Second Street, Goshen, IN 46526)