The Cuyahoga County Board of Health’s Watershed Protection Programs was developed and designed to protect public health and our water quality resources from the impact of point source and non-point source pollution. The Watershed Protection Programs also stress the utilization of watershed based planning within the Cuyahoga County Board of Health as well as collaborative efforts with partnering agencies. This unit has been evolving and expanding over the last several years and now includes a variety of activities to assist our communities and our collaborative partners. These activities include all water quality programs as well as educational outreach and public involvement programs. 

         

General Information

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) provides public health services to 56 cities, villages, and townships in Cuyahoga County, Ohio with an approximate population of 830,000. Cuyahoga County is on the shores of Lake Erie and contains 3 major watersheds: the Rocky River, the Cuyahoga River and the Chagrin River, which all drain to the lake.

These major watersheds are impacted by both point source and non-point source pollution. Sources of point source pollution are often continuous and can typically be identified, minimized, and even eliminated. Sources of non-point source pollution are often very difficult to trace and identify. They are widespread and are often intermittent. Examples include runoff from streets and parking lots, agricultural fields, home lawns, construction sites, and household sewage treatment systems (HSTS). Contaminants in non-point source pollution include sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, salts, toxic chemicals, and pathogens. These pollutants have the potential to adversely impact both ground and surface waters.

The watershed protection programs consist of the following:

Grants