In Grand Rapids, it takes only 15 to 30 minutes for contaminated rain and stormwater to reach the Grand River and comparable waterways via the municipal stormwater sewer or by flowing directly into the river or its tributaries.

This stormwater runoff is the leading source of water pollution in West Michigan, depositing millions upon millions of gallons of a man-made mixture we call HYDROFILTH into our local water resources each year. It is also a significant contributor to critical environmental and economic issues such as erosion and infrastructure decline.

Fifteen to the River is a collaborative effort between West Michigan Environmental Action Council, City of Grand Rapids and other partners to educate residents in the Grand River Watershed about the threat of stormwater runoff and HYDROFILTH.