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Environmental Health and Safety

The Physical Plant Environmental Health and Safety Department at UCA is dedicated to promoting a safe and healthy environment for our university community. Our team plays a vital role in implementing and maintaining safety protocols, as well as overseeing environmental compliance across campus facilities. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors by ensuring that our physical environment is secure and aligned with regulatory standards. Our efforts contribute to a campus where everyone can work, learn, and thrive with confidence.

 

Stormwater Management:

 

Stormwater & You: Protecting Our Campus Waterways
University of Central Arkansas

Stormwater runoff is rainwater that flows over surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and lawns instead of soaking into the ground. On a college campus, stormwater can pick up pollutants and carry them into local waterways, affecting the environment and public health. Here’s how you can help keep our campus and community water clean!

Why Stormwater Matters

  • Polluted stormwater can harm wildlife, contaminate drinking water, and degrade local rivers and streams.
  • Everything that goes into a storm drain flows directly into waterways—without treatment!
  • Common pollutants on campus include litter, motor oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and chemicals from cleaning products.

What Can You Do?

  1. Keep It Clean
  • Never dump anything down storm drains. They lead directly to rivers and streams.
  • Dispose of trash properly and recycle whenever possible.
  • Pick up pet waste and throw it in the trash.
  1. Reduce Runoff
  • Use a refillable water bottle instead of single-use plastics that may end up as litter.
  • Avoid overwatering lawns and gardens to prevent excess runoff.
  • Use rain gardens or porous surfaces to help rainwater soak into the ground.
  1. Be Smart About Chemicals
  • Use eco-friendly cleaning products and dispose of chemicals properly.
  • If you wash your car, do it at a car wash that recycles water instead of on pavement where soap and oil can wash into storm drains.
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and according to instructions.
  1. Get Involved!
  • Join campus clean-up events to remove litter from the campus grounds.
  • Spread awareness—educate your friends on stormwater pollution and how they can help.
  • Report clogged storm drains or spills to the Physical Plant (501) 450-3196.

Did You Know?

  • A single cigarette butt can pollute over 7 liters of water.
  • Just one quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
  • Stormwater pollution is the #1 cause of water quality issues in urban areas.

Need More Info?

For questions or to report concerns, contact stormwater@uca.edu or Adam Hensley ahensley@uca.edu. Together, we can keep our campus and community waters clean!

Printable Stormwater Handout

UCA STORMWATER Management Video

Emergency Plans

Hazardous Waste

Safety Trainings

 

Contact

Adam Hensley, Access Control and EHS Manager
(501)514-4302