Remember, what you pour out or allow to leak out, ends up in the river.
Excess fertilizer runs into the drainage system and promotes algoe and damaging nutrient overload in our streams and waterways.
Even after thirty-six years since passing of the Clean Water Act, almost 40% of our waters in the United States remain undrinkable, unswimmable and off limits.
Clean Water Act
Down the Drain?
By Russell Adsit, International Erosion Control Association
You remember 1972, don’t you? Nixon, Watergate, eight cent stamps, Carole King, Billie Jean King, the creation of Prozac and the debut of HBO, M*A*S*H and the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act? Yes, 1972 marked the initial passage of the Clean Water Act, but where are we now—thirty-six years later?
Actually, the results of the Act are finally showing up on our streets and in our residential developments. Contractors are required to control the runoff of water, soil and trash from their sites. As the construction professionals and trades deal with these issues, what can we do on our individual sites?
Around the home, we need to be diligent in our management of the small environment we control. While many of us think nothing of washing the car in the driveway, the soap we use can run down the storm drain directly into a stream or creek. If you cannot use a commercial car wash where they use less water and capture and treat the runoff, use an environmentally friendly low or no phosphate soap. Wash the car on the lawn to reuse the water instead of allowing it to flow down the drain.
Keep everything you can out of the storm drain. Never wash paint, solvents or pesticides into the drain. Recycle your oil if you change it yourself. Compost your leaves and grass clippings instead of blowing or sweeping them into the storm drain. If you use a landscape company, make sure it is environmentally responsible. If not, change providers.
For many reasons, keep your vehicles in good shape. Repair those radiator leaks, oil leaks or any other fluids that tend to leak out onto the driveway. The first time it rains, these pollutants run down the driveway into the street and then into the storm drains, ditches and streams. During the winter, only use deicers when absolutely necessary and try to minimize the volume you use. Use environmentally friendly products. Remember, what you pour out or allow to leak out, ends up in the river.
While we all appreciate a green and lush landscape, consider using low water plants to minimize the water requirements for your lawn and shrubs. Make sure your irrigation system is properly designed and that you operate it as efficiently as possible. Install a rain shutoff to better control the system during rain events. Monitor the weather and your operating times so you do not overwater. When you are ready to apply fertilizer, test the soil first and only apply what is necessary at the rate that is required. Excess fertilizer runs into the drainage system and promotes algae and damaging nutrient overload in our streams and waterways.
Practice integrated pest management (IPM), a process of inspection, proper pruning, nurture and cultivation of plants and the use of pesticides only when absolutely necessary. Many organic alternatives are not as damaging to the environment and actually work better in many instances, especially when combined with IPM.
If you are relandscaping, consider a rain garden. While a relatively new term, a rain garden is planned to capture surface, roof and drain runoff from your home. The plant selection is made from water loving types of plants and allows detention of the rainwater while it percolates into the ground, filtering and recharging the groundwater.
The last tip is to make sure you clean up after your pets by properly disposing of their waste. Left on the lawn, your pet waste washes into the drainage system and effectively turns it into a pet septic tank.
The quality of our waters directly affects our lives. We want to protect the safety of our drinking water and also the aesthetic and recreational value whether for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming—you name it. Even after thirty-six years since the passing of the Clean Water Act, almost 40% of our waters in the United States remain undrinkable, unswimable and off limits. Yet, with a little extra attention to our home environment, we can all make the world a little better place to live, work and play. 
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Winter 2007