The City of Carmel and neighboring communities invite area resident to join them on Saturday, Sept. 9 for the 23rd Annual White River Clean Up. This will be Carmel’s 12th year participating in the event. Volunteers will remove trash from the White River in an effort to make a difference in our community and improve water quality.
Volunteers can register on-site the day of the event or online today under the Volunteer Registration tab at whiterivercleanup.org. Groups are encouraged to pre-register through the website so supplies can be planned accordingly. Volunteers will be provided with clean up supplies, water, lunch and a White River Clean Up t-shirt (while supplies last). Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and old clothes that can get dirty and wet. Volunteers can meet at one of two locations from 8 a.m. to noon:
- Carmel (317-571-2441) / Fishers (317-567-5056) Location
Fishers 116th Street Boat Launch
6100 Wapihani Dr., Fishers IN, 46038 - Noblesville Location (317-770-5132)
The Moose Lodge
950 Field Drive (near SR 19), Noblesville, IN
It is important for the City of Carmel to participate in this opportunity to protect the White River as a natural resource and bring awareness to storm water pollution prevention. Residents are encouraged to support and participate in the City’s efforts to preserve and protect the environmental beauty and recreational value of the White River and other waterways so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.
Additionally, Mayor Jim Brainard has declared the week of Sept. 2 to 9 as “Water Awareness Week.” In observance of “Water Awareness Week,” the City reminds residents to please:
- Refrain from dumping anything into a ditch, stream, or storm drain, including yard waste.
- Clean up and properly dispose of pet or animal waste.
- Use a soil test to determine your lawn’s fertilizer needs and consider the use of phosphorus-free fertilizers.
- Use bug, rodent, algae and weed killers sparingly and according to the label.
- Wash your car at a full or self-service car wash instead of your driveway.
- Direct swimming pool and spa filter backwash into the sanitary sewer.
- Report any illegal dumping into storm drains or waterways to the City of Carmel Engineering Department at 317-571-2441 (within city limits and during normal business hours), or IDEM’s 24-hour hotline at 1-888-233-7745.
For more information and tips, please visit carmel.in.gov/index.aspx?page=704. If you can’t make this event, consider attending one of the many White River Festival events throughout September promoted by Carmel’s education partner, the White River Alliance. The Festival lineup can be found at whiteriverfestival.org.