Drainage Rights and Responsibilities
​for Ohio Homeowners

Stormwater drainage issues are one of the most common complaints received by many local and county agencies from private landowners, especially in residential Lucas County areas because many were built on previous agricultural land.

​County and local government agencies are responsible for reviewing development and building plans to ensure that proper drainage does exist. Once the property owner receives the final Certificate of Occupancy, County authority ends. If your neighbor installs landscaping or a pool which may reroute the stormwater runoff leading to drainage issues, it becomes a civil matter between neighbors. 

Lake Erie Starts Here
​NWO

This collective brings together partners from Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties with the goal of managing storm water runoff in our communities and helping preserve our region's greatest natural resource, Lake Erie.

You'll find tips, education and events to help everyday community members contribute to good stormwater management and cleaner local waterways.

What is a MS4 permit?

As a requirement for Lucas County's small MS4 permit from the Ohio EPA, our office reviews all Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3) for sites disturbing one acre or more. Satisfying Minimum Control Measures (MCM) 4 and 5 of the permit, the review ensures that construction site stormwater runoff is controlled with effective mechanisms during the active construction phase, as well as approval for the design of the post-construction best management practice (BMP) that will control the site's water quality and quantity. The Lucas County Engineer's Office recommends that site designers evaluate, and if feasible, implement green infrastructure to the project's design.

2022 Lucas County Engineer's Stormwater Art Contest

Using their creative imagination to display what clean stormwater means to them, here are the 2022 Stormwater Art Contest winners! Congratulations to Liam and D.J.and a well deserved great job and thank you to all of the participants of the 2022 Lucas County Engineer's Stormwater Art Contest from the Lucas County Engineer's Office!

1st Place Liam                                                 2nd Place: DJ