Healthy Waters

Runoff is the water that flows off our yards, streets, parking lots, and driveways into the storm drains and eventually into our creeks, bays and the ocean. Whether it is from sprinkler over spray, car washing or hosing down the driveway, everyone is a potential contributor to runoff.

Water flows into the storm drains picking up pollutants like soil, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, pet wastes, and litter. All these contaminates end up in our waterways. Many people mistakenly think that the water entering our storm drains is cleaned or treated in some way. The storm drain system and septic systems are separate. Our storm drain system channels water, untreated, directly into our creeks, bays and the ocean. If our runoff water and storm water is contaminated, it will cause beach closures and postings.

Do not litter
• Put paper, bottles, cigarette butts and plastic bags in the correct bins – if they are dropped on the ground, they are washed into the stormwater drain, then into the creeks, rivers and bays and finally the ocean.

• Cigarette butts are a major source of pollution in our local waterways PLEASE THROW CIGARETTE BUTTS IN THE TRASH NOT ON THE GROUND OR OUT A CAR WINDOW.

Keep excess nutrients out of our waterways
• Wash the car on the lawn rather than the street so the soapy, nutrient rich water soaks into the grass instead of running into a stormwater drain and into a creek.

• Put the garden clippings and kitchen scraps into a covered compost bin. Do not put milk or other foodstuffs down the sink, compost instead. The nutrients in food add to algae blooms.

• Wrap the dog’s droppings and put them in the garbage. You use a toilet, so why should you
leave your pet’s droppings on the street.

Keep sediment out of our waterways
• Keep exposed dirt to a minimum. All waterways are connected. Anything you leave in your backyard (antifreeze, oil, laundry detergent, car wash etc.) washes into the local stormwater drain and ends up in the local creek and bay. It is not treated at all along this journey, you end up eating it in our fish and swimming in it at our beaches.

Conserve water
• Water the lawn at night or in the early morning as this reduces evaporation and water wastage.

• Grow a waterwise garden – plant native species that need less water.

• Do not leave the tap running when cleaning your teeth or peeling vegetables.

• Do not hose the driveway, sweep it instead and compost the grass and leaves.

Treat our waterways with respect
• Take garbage and litter away with you – do not drop it on the ground, in the creek, river or the bay

• Do not release sewage from your boat, install a containment device.

• Reduce boat wave wash and observe speed limits.

Pest Control
• Do not use chemicals when gardening. Build healthy soil, selecting appropriate plants, watering effectively, and using mulch. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of pesticide.

• If you still have some pest problems, supplement with simple physical controls such as a strong spray of water, barriers, traps, and handpicking.

• Encourage biological controls by attracting beneficial insects. Make your yard a haven for beneficial insects by taking simple steps to provide them with food, water and shelter. Protect beneficial insects by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides. You can even buy
beneficial insects.

• Use pesticides only as a last resort and only use a pesticide that is specifically designed to control your pest. The insect should be listed on the label. Over 90% of the insects on your lawn and garden are not harmful.

• If you do use pesticides, read the labels! Use only as directed. In their zeal to control the problem, many gardeners use pesticides at a rate over 20 times that of farmers. Making your yard toxic!

Fertilizing
• Improve the health of your soil by adding compost and using organic mulches. You'll reduce your need for fertilizers and your plants will be healthier.

• Use fertilizers sparingly. Consider organic fertilizers, they release nutrients slowly.

• Leave grass clippings on your lawn as a natural fertilizer.

Watering
• Avoid over-watering. Don't let water run out into the street. Use efficient irrigation methods such as soaker hoses and micro-sprinklers.

• If you have a spray head sprinkler system, consider adjusting your water method to a cycle and soak.

• Instead of watering for 15 minutes straight, breakup the session into 5 minute intervals allowing water to soak in before the next application.

Buy produce from sustainable producers
• Look for products that come from sustainable local growers.

• Ask for better labelling at our local stores so that you can make choices.

Take part in area cleanups and plant native plants. If we all do our part to keep our waterways clean and healthy, we will all be able to enjoy our greatest natural resource Between The Ports.

For more information on garbage pick-up and waste management go to The Town of Brookhaven website.