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You and Water Quality
When you’re fertilizing the
lawn,
remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn
You fertilize the lawn. Then it rains. The rain
washes the fertilizer along the curb, into the storm drain, and
directly into our lakes, rivers and streams. This causes algae to
grow, which uses up oxygen that fish need to survive. So if you
fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.
What’s the problem with
fertilizer?
Fertilizer is a large problem for lakes, rivers,
and streams, especially if it’s not used carefully. If you use too
much fertilizer or apply it at the wrong time, it can easily wash
off your lawn and garden into storm drains and then flow untreated
into lakes and streams. Just like in your garden, fertilize in
lakes and streams makes plants grow. In water bodies, extra
fertilizer can mean extra algae and aquatic plant growth. Too much
algae harms water quality and makes boating, fishing and swimming
unpleasant. As algae decay, they use up oxygen in the water that
fish and other wildlife need.
When your car leaks oil on the
street,
remember it’s not just leaking on the street
Leaking oil goes from car to street. And is washed from the street
into the storm drains and into our lakes, ponds and streams. Now
imagine the number of cars in your area and you can imagine the
amount of oil that finds its way from leaky gaskets into our
water. So please, fix oil leaks.
What’s the problem with motor
oil?
Oil does not dissolve in water. It lasts a long
time and sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers.
Oil and other petroleum products are toxic to people, wildlife and
plants. One pint of oil can make a slick larger than a football
field. Oil that leaks from cars onto roads and driveways is washed
into storm drains, and then usually flows directly to a lake or
stream. Used motor oil is the largest single source of oil
pollution in our lakes, streams and rivers. American spill 180
million gallons of used oil each year into our waters. This is 16
times the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska.
When you’re washing your car
in the driveway,
remember you’re not just washing your car in the driveway
All the soap, scum and oily grit runs along the
curb. Then into the storm drain and directly into our lakes,
rivers and streams. And that causes pollution which is unhealthy
for fish. So how do you avoid this whole mess? Easy. Wash your car
on the grass or gravel instead of the street. Or better yet, take
it to a car wash where the water gets treated and recycled.
What’s the problem with car
washing?
There’s no problem with washing your car. It’s
just how and where you do it. Most soap contains phosphates and
other chemicals that harm fish and water quality. The soap,
together with the dirt and oil washed from your car, flows into
nearby storm drains which run directly into lakes, rivers or
marine waters. The phosphates from the soap can cause excess algae
to grow. Algae look bad, smell bad, and harm water quality. As
algae decays, it uses up oxygen in the water that fish and other
wildlife need.
When your pet goes on the
lawn,
remember it doesn’t just go on the lawn.
When our pets leave those little surprises, rain
washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains. And
then pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple! Dispose of it
properly, (preferably in the toilet). Then that little surprise
gets treated like it should.
What’s the problem with pet
waste?
It’s a health risk to pets and people,
especially children. It’s a nuisance in our neighborhoods. Pet
waste is full of bacteria that can make people sick. If it’s
washed into the storm drains and ends up in a lake, stream or
river, the bacteria ends up in shellfish. People who eat those
shellfish can get very sick. The waste produced by cats and dogs
in the Charles River Watershed adds up to 5,932 lbs a day! Unless
people take care of it, the waste enters our water with no
treatment.
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Clean water is important to all of us
It’s up to all of us to make it happen. In
recent years sources of water pollution like industrial wastes
from factories have been greatly reduced. Now more that 60 percent
of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil,
fertilizers from farms and gardens, and failing septic tanks. All
these sources add up to a big pollution problem. But each of us
can do small things to help clean up our water too – and that adds
up to a pollution solution!
Why do we need clean water?
Having clean water is of primary importance for
our health and economy. Clean water provides recreation,
commercial opportunities, fish habitat, drinking water – and all
of us have a role in getting and keeping our lakes, rivers, marine
and ground waters clean.
Source:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Washington State Water Quality Consortium
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