About

For the Weems Creek Conservancy website please visit -

http://weems-creek.org/

 

Things you can do to help reduce pollution to the creek:

Did you know that non-point source pollution is the largest contributor to the excess nutrients, sediments, and chemicals in the Bay? That’s the pollution coming from your property and mine! During a 1″ rainstorm, which is typical for this area, a roof covering a house with a 1,000 square foot footprint will shed 600 gallons of water. The water coming off this roof in summer reaches 140 degrees, and can still be 120 degrees when it enters the creek from the storm drain. That’s too warm for fish and other water creatures! To make matters worse, the speed with which the water rushes down driveways and streets, down storm drains and out to the Creek, causes sediments to be carried into the Creek, and churns up the unstable sediment recently deposited. This reduces water clarity, which keeps subaquatic grasses and oysters from growing. Without grasses and oysters, water isn’t filtered like it used to be, so water clarity suffers even more.

There are over 900 single-family homes in the Weems Creek Watershed. If every household kept half of the average rainfall from going directly into the Creek, that would be 270,000 gallons! There are a lot of simple steps you can take to improve the health of the Creek. The following sites have information to help you create a creek restoration project in your own backyard:

 

Other helpful links:

Non-Profit Environmental Organizations

Center for Watershed Protection
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
Chesapeake Bay Program
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Oyster Recovery Partnership
Severn River Association
Severn River Land Trust

Government Environmental Links

[MS Word] City of Annapolis Environmental Transition Team Report
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
US Fish & Wildlife Service – Chesapeake Bay Field Office
State of Maryland Water Permit Applications (MDE)

Environmental Information

MDE’s drought page
NBC 4′s Watershed Page
Flora of the Washington-Baltimore Area (DC Checklist)
Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring (EPA)
Check Weems Creek Water Samples
Bay Grasses in Chesapeake Bay

Community Links

City of Annapolis
West Annapolis Civic Association

 

More Examples of What You Can Do to Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution From the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

* Limit the amount of impenetrable surfaces in your landscape. Use permeable paving surfaces such as wood decks, bricks, and concrete lattice to let water soak into the ground.
* Allow thick vegetation or buffer strips to grow along waterways to slow runoff and soak up pollutants. Plant trees, shrubs, and ground cover. They will absorb up to 14 times more rainwater than a grass lawn and don’t require fertilizer.
* Use natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. If you must use chemicals, test your soil to determine the right amount. See also Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety.
* Don’t hose down driveways or sidewalks. Dry sweeping paved areas, along with careful trash disposal, are simple, effective pollution reducers.
* Gutters and down spouts should drain onto vegetated or gravel- filled seepage areas – not directly onto paved surfaces. Splash blocks also help reduce erosion.
* Divert runoff from pavement to grassy, planted or wooded areas of your property, so stormwater can seep slowly into the ground.
* Compost grass clippings and leaves. Never allow them to wash into roadways where they will reach storm drains.
* Get involved in the planning and zoning process in your community. That’s where the decisions are made that shape the course of development and the future quality of our environment.
* Place litter, including cigarette butts, in trash receptacles. Never throw litter in streets or down storm drains.
* Properly dispose of household hazardous wastes. Many common household products, (paint thinners, moth balls, drain and oven cleaners, etc.) contain toxic ingredients. When improperly used or discarded, these products are a threat to public health and the environment. Do not pour hazardous products down any drain or toilet. Do not discard with regular household trash. Learn about natural and less toxic alternatives and use them whenever possible. Contact your County Solid Waste Management Office for information regarding hazardous waste collection in your area.
* Recycle all used motor oil by taking it to a sevice station or local recycling center. Motor oil contains toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals. Do not dump used motor oil down storm drains or on the ground.
* Animal wastes contain bacteria and viruses that contaminate shellfish and cause the closing of bathing areas. Pet owners should pick up after their pets and dispose of the wastes in the garbage or toilet.
* Wash your car on the grass so soapy water soaks into the ground. Use a hose nozzle to prevent water from running when not in use.

Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Households

The well-known stories about environmental problems tend to focus on big, recognizable targets such as smoking industrial facilities, leaking toxic waste dumps, and messy oil spills. As a result, people often forget about water pollution caused by smaller nonpoint sources–especially pollution at the household level.

However, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the Nation’s leading source of water quality degradation. Although individual homes might contribute only minor amounts of NPS pollution, the combined effect of an entire neighborhood can be serious. These include eutrophication, sedimentation, and contamination with unwanted pollutants.

To prevent and control NPS pollution, households can learn about the causes of such pollution and take the appropriate (and often money-saving) steps to limit runoff and make sure runoff stays clean.

NPS pollution is widespread because it can occur any time activities disturb the land or water. Agriculture, forestry, grazing, septic systems, recreational boating, urban runoff, construction, physical changes to stream channels, and habitat degradation are potential sources of NPS pollution. Careless or uninformed household management also contributes to NPS pollution problems.

pointr10Limit Paved Surfaces

Urban and suburban landscapes are covered by paved surfaces like sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and driveways. They prevent water from percolating down into the ground, cause runoff to accumulate, and funnel into storm drains at high speeds. When quickly flowing runoff empties into receiving waters, it can severely erode streambanks. Paved surfaces also transfer heat to runoff, thereby increasing the temperature of receiving waters. Native species of fish and other aquatic life cannot survive in these warmer waters.

To limit NPS pollution from paved surfaces households can substitute alternatives to areas traditionally covered by nonporous surfaces. Grasses and natural ground cover, for example, can be attractive and practical substitutes for asphalt driveways, walkways, and patios. Some homes effectively incorporate a system of natural grasses, trees, and mulch to limit continuous impervious surface area. Wooden decks, gravel or brick paths, and rock gardens keep the natural ground cover intact and allow rainwater to slowly seep into the ground.

Landscape With Nature

Altering the natural contours of yards during landscaping and planting with non-native plants that need fertilizer and extra water can increase the potential for higher runoff volumes, increase erosion, and introduce chemicals into the path of runoff. In contrast, xeriscape landscaping provides households with a framework that can dramatically reduce the potential for NPS pollution.

IXeriscape incorporates many environmental factors into landscape design–soil type, use of native plants, practical turf areas, proper irrigation, mulches, and appropriate maintenance schedules. By using native plants that are well-suited to a regions climate and pests, xeriscape drastically reduces the need for irrigation and chemical applications. Less irrigation results in less runoff, while less chemical application keeps runoff clean.

Proper Septic System Management

Malfunctioning or overflowing septic systems release bacteria and nutrients into the water cycle, contaminating nearby lakes, streams, and estuaries, and ground water. Septic systems must be built in the right place. Trampling ground above the system compacts soil and can cause the systems pipes to collapse. Also, septic systems should be located away from trees because tree roots can crack pipes or obstruct the flow of wastewater through drain lines. Proper septic system management is also important, and a system should be inspected and emptied every 3 to 5 years.

y maintaining water fixtures and by purchasing water-efficient showerheads, faucets, and toilets, households can limit wastewater levels, reducing the likelihood of septic system overflow. Most water conservation technologies provide long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Proper Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal

Household cleaners, grease, oil, plastics, and some food or paper products should not be flushed down drains or washed down the street. Over time chemicals can corrode septic system pipes and might not be completely removed during the filtration process. Chemicals poured down the drain can also interfere with the chemical and biological breakdown of the wastes in the septic tank.

On household lawns and gardens, homeowners can try natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides and apply no more than the recommended amounts. Natural predators like insects and bats, composting, and use of native plants can reduce or entirely negate the need for chemicals. Xeriscape can limit chemical applications to lawns and gardens.

If chemicals are needed around the home, they should be stored properly to prevent leaks and access by children. Most cities have designated sites for the proper disposal of used chemicals.

source: EPA Journal

 

 

Other possible links of interest:

Author: weems on April 16, 2011
Category: