How Residents & Businesses Can Help Improve Water Quality
On behalf of our friends at Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, please enjoy the article below regarding clean water tips for Residents & Businesses.
Non-point source pollution is a big contributor to water quality problems. “Non-point source pollution” is water pollution where you can’t necessarily point to a direct source, but it culminates in our waterways into a bigger problem. In our urban environment, it is a wide range of things including litter, lawn chemicals, leaking vehicle fluids, sediment from soil erosion, bacteria and nutrients from dog poop, nutrients from lawn clippings and leaves, and more. Whereas point source pollution is discharged directly to a waterway from a factory or treatment facility.
Reducing non-point source pollution requires some small behavior changes, but these changes are do-able with the right knowledge and resources. That is where Franklin Soil and Water comes in!
Clean Water Tips: Conscious Behavior Changes to Reduce Stormwater Pollution
We can make small changes in our habits to reduce stormwater runoff and keep our waterways clean.
Properly dispose of waste.
- Never dispose of waste in your yard or a storm drain especially hazardous materials, paint, concrete washout, fats/oils/greases.
- Take hazardous waste to a municipal or SWACO drop off event or facility.
- Dispose of latex and water-based paint by drying it with kitty litter, sawdust, or paint hardener, and putting it in the municipal trash once fully hardened.
- Dispose of oil-based paints at a hazardous waste drop off. Do NOT try to harden and trash oil-based paints – it is considered hazardous and therefore is not appropriate for trash.
Check vehicles for leaking fluids.
- Don’t drip and drive. Check your vehicles and equipment for leaks regularly.
Use lawn chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides) properly and sparingly.
- Always follow the label closely. Do not overspray or overapply, or you risk contaminating waterways.
- Check the weather before applying chemicals. Do not apply chemicals right before rain; it will be a less effective application, AND it will wash away into our waterways.
Pick up dog waste immediately.
- Dog waste is high in nutrients and bacteria which is not great for water quality. Pick it up!
Remove invasive plants and plant native plants instead.
- Native plants have deep root systems and are excellent at capturing and reducing runoff.
How Businesses Can Protect Clean Water
What do businesses have to do with clean water? Businesses can make these same behavior changes to protect clean water. Instead of traditional landscaping with the typical annuals or non-native plants, consider adding a native plant garden or rain garden at your office or property. Not only is it better for water quality, but there are also economic benefits for doing so!
Per Earth Economics, in Franklin County, 1 acre of rain garden creates up to $74,000 in co-benefits annually. Here are some of the benefits:
- Reducing noise pollution
- Flood regulation
- Biodiversity and habitat
- Neighborhood scenery
- Avoided management cost
- Carbon sequestration
- Avoided emissions
If your Franklin County business needs help with a native or rain garden project, reach out to Franklin Soil and Water for resources and technical assistance.