Monthly Environmental Message
Got Water Quality?
May 4-10 is drinking water week, and it's a great time to think about how our daily activities affect SC's overall water quality. Nonpoint source, or runoff pollution, comes from different activities going on in your community everyday. It happens when rain water runs over and through the ground. As the rain runoff moves, it picks up and brings pollutants into our water areas. These pollutants can be fertilizers from lawns, oil and grease from our cars, soil from construction sites, bacteria from livestock or dog and cat waste, and human waste from failing septic systems. States report that runoff pollution is the leading cause of water quality problems. Runoff pollution can negatively impact our drinking water sources, natural swimming areas, and the creatures that live in our lakes, streams and rivers.
The following tips can help you become part of the solution to runoff pollution:
- Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains. These drains go directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
- Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly. Do not pour them into storm drains.
- Have your septic system checked to be sure it's working properly.
- Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
- Be aware that many chemicals commonly used around the home are toxic. Use non-toxic substitutes wherever possible.
- Celebrate drinking water week on May 4-10, 2008, by contacting you local water provider to see how you can get help in protecting your drinking water. Also, check out EPAs drinking water website at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/getin.html