XENIA — As the weather has gone from too dry to too wet in a matter of days, the Little Miami Watershed Network is reminding residents this is a good time to keep an eye on storm water drains.

Storm Water Awareness Week runs through Oct. 7 and the network has some tips on how to reduce the impact of stormwater and flooding on the Little Miami River, which runs through Greene County .

— Plant native plants and trees, especially along creeks and streams and low places in your yard. Water needs to soak down to the aquifer, not run off with pollutants to the closest surface water.

— Properly dispose of chemicals and hazardous waste. Read the directions carefully, none call for pouring them down the storm drain.

— Keep storm drains clean of litter, leaves, and other debris. As leaves decay, they use up oxygen in the water and make it hard for aquatic animals to breathe.

— Always pick up and properly dispose of pet waste. It’s not good to have that mixed with river water, especially water that is used for drinking.

— Volunteer or organize a stream cleanup. The Little Miami Watershed Network is here to help you do that by providing all the supplies to make it easy.

“As I write this, it is raining, and I am very thankful for it,” network board member Hope Taft said. “We need a lot more. The Little Miami River was almost dry. I could walk across it in places and not get my knees wet. And what water there is in it, is mostly treated water from wastewater treatment plants, while the rest comes from the aquifer beneath the river. But as the weather changes all the time and we soon will have to deal with too much water, not too little. When that happens, we will need to be aware of storm water drains and what does down them, because all those things will eventually end up in the river.”

Taft said when the water level is low, it’s a great time to take a creek walk and pick up trash.

“I guarantee you will be surprised at what you find,” she said. “(But) stay out of the river when the water level is high. Fast-moving water can be very dangerous.”

For more information or to volunteer with LMNW, email [email protected].