Stormwater Week Spotlights Heavier Rains and a Renamed District
Published on October 06, 2026
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Central Ohio has had a wet year. Columbus and the Franklin County area have received about 10 inches more rain than average so far, according to Kyle Wilson, Assistant Director of the Franklin County Conservation District. Much of that water runs off roofs, roads, and driveways into storm drains that empty straight into local streams and rivers.
The Board of Commissioners recognized Stormwater Awareness Week, October 1 through 7, at its October 6 General Session. Board President John O'Grady also congratulated the district on its new name. Formerly the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, it is now the Franklin County Conservation District, a change O'Grady said reflects its growth and its commitment to reaching more residents.
Wilson cited NOAA data showing that storms dropping more than two inches of rain in a single event have increased by more than 30 percent since the 1990s. Residents can help by picking up litter, planting Ohio native trees, sweeping fertilizer and ice melt off hard surfaces, and clearing the storm drains in front of their homes, he said.
"We can't just do the minimum anymore in meeting EPA requirements for stormwater," Wilson said. He thanked Brown, Prairie, and Perry townships for passing their own stormwater awareness resolutions.
Nick Soulas [FLAG: SPELLING UNCONFIRMED], speaking on behalf of Franklin County Engineer Adam Fowler, said the Engineer's Office works with the conservation district to carry out the county's MS4 stormwater permit. He pointed to the Board's recent Mando Ditch petition hearings as an example of how often stormwater comes before the commissioners.
O'Grady said he grew up dealing with stormwater issues in Brown Township, in the Mando Ditch area. "I've learned a tremendous amount because of the work that you guys do," he said.
Later in the session, the Board awarded a $1,936,722 contract to Layton Trucking, Inc., doing business as Layton Services, for the Kropp Road Drainage Outlet Improvement Part 2 project (Res. 0643-26). The project, funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission, will improve drainage along Krebs Ditch in Pleasant Township. Layton was selected as the lowest and best bidder, and the resolution passed unanimously.