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Elk River Basin - Nonpoint Source Pollution
Non-point pollution originates from many widespread sources. It
is hard to pinpoint exactly where non-point source pollution originates.
Non-point source pollution is the greatest cause of
pollution in our nation’s waters. We all
contribute non-point source pollution to our waters. Some
examples of non-point source pollutants are:
Runoff from chemicals applied on land used to kill weeds and bugs Fertilizers applied on yards and farmlands to enhance plant growth. Oil, grease, antifreeze, and brake fluid from automobiles that drips onto the pavement. Soil that erodes from the banks of rivers and soil that runs off of the land into the river. Bacteria from the wastes of animals. This includes wastes from farm animals, pets, wildlife, and humans. Septic tanks that leak. This causes bacteria and phosphorous to enter the water
Reducing nonpoint source pollution
Storm Water Runoff
Water that runs off of our
driveways, yards, and streets after a rainstorm is known as “stormwater
runoff”. This polluted water flows into a storm drain and does not go to a
facility to be treated before it runs into area lakes and streams. There are
some easy things that can be done around your house that will reduce the
amount of stormwater runoff. There are many things that you can do to make
sure that the water entering area storm drains is as clean as it can be.
- If you see oil, grease,
antifreeze, or brake fluid in your driveway or garage, ask your parents if
you can help clean it up. Do not hose it off into the grass because this
could cause the chemicals to seep into the groundwater.
- Do not pour harmful
chemicals like household cleaners and paint down the drain and do not pour
them on the ground outside. Call your local city hall to find out and
appropriate disposal procedures.
- Ask your parents to buy
detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous. Phosphorous is a
chemical that causes algae to grow faster in the lakes or rivers.
- Ask your parents what kind
of chemicals or fertilizers they put on the yard. Suggest that they cut
down on these materials to help reduce non-point pollution. Using a small
amount of fertilizer and bug sprays on your yard will reduce the amount of
pollution that runs into the stream. Soil tests can also be completed to
determine what kind and how much fertilizer is needed.
- Instead of fertilizers that
you buy from the store, your family can make a compost pile. Your family
can choose a part of the yard to put grass clippings, old vegetables, and
plants from a garden. Use this compost pile as a natural fertilizer. When
mowing the lawn, leave the clippings on the yard as a natural fertilizer.
- If there is a street gutter
near your house, don’t pour or put anything in it. This will all reach a
river or lake in a small amount of time.
- If you have a pet that goes
to the bathroom in the yard, clean up after it and throw its waste into
the garbage can. When it rains on your yard, your pet’s waste will run
into the storm drain or seep into the groundwater. This will cause harmful
bacteria and more phosphorous to enter into the river.
Plant some trees and plants in your yard. This will help slow down the
rainwater and reduce erosion.
- If you wash your parent’s
car outside or help them with it, it is better to park the car on a grassy
area or go to a car wash. This will reduce the amount of polluted water
that will flow into the storm drain. Use low-phosphate soap and use a
bucket of water to clean your car instead of letting the hose run and run.
If You Live on a Farm
Talk to your parents about
how much fertilizer, weed and bug sprays they use. Encourage them to use
less if possible.
-
Do not let your animals wade
into the river if it is nearby.
-
Clean
up animal wastes so that when it rains, it does not flow into the river.
-
Plant
some plants near a riverbank to help reduce the amount of pollutants that reach the
stream.
Own a Septic Tank
If
your home has a septic tank, ask your parents if they have had it inspected in a while.
Septic systems should be pumped out every 3 years.
If it is not kept up to date, pollution might leak
from it and harm the waterways.
Signs
that your septic tank is failing
-
Sinks
and toilets are draining slowly
-
Gurgling
sounds coming from the plumbing
-
Plumbing
backups
-
Sewage
odors in the house or yard
-
The
ground is wet or mushy around the septic tank
-
Grass
in one area of the yard is growing faster and greener
-
Tests
on well water show bacteria present
Source:
“A Homeowner’s Guide to On-Site Sewage
Treatment and Soil Potential Ratings.”
Southwest
Missouri
Resource Conservation and Development.
If
your residence has a septic system:
Do
not:
-
Do
not put grease, solvents, paints, kerosene, gasoline, motor oil, pesticides, chemical
drain openers, septic tank additives or cooking fats into home drains or toilets.
-
Do
not dig in, build over, or drive on your lateral field.
-
Do
not plant any vegetation on your lateral field except grass.
Roots from other plants will clog the lateral lines.
-
Do
not go into your septic tank chamber. Deadly
gasses may build up inside the chamber.
Do’s
-
Pump
your septic tank every 2-5 years. An
inspection every 3 years will help determine if your tank is ready to be pumped.
-
Obtain
necessary permits from the appropriate local agency before making repairs.
-
Use
certified installers and pumpers when needed, especially if effluent is surfacing over the
lateral lines.
-
Keep
the septic tank pump chamber cover accessible. Be
sure the cover is securely locked and no larger than 12 inches in diameter.
-
Keep
detailed records of maintenance, repairs, inspections, and permits.
Source:
James
River
Basin
Partnership
To Dispose of Harmful Materials
and
Products
that are Hazardous
There
are some key words to look for to see if a chemical is harmful.
If they see words on the container like
“danger” or “poison”, these materials need to be disposed of properly.
Other words to look for are: warning,
corrosive, caution, reactive, explosive, toxic, combustible, and flammable.
The following products are hazardous and cannot be
poured down the drain, on the ground, or in the trashcan:
-
Products
from your garage that are used on cars. These
include gasoline, oil, washer fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid, and car
cleaners.
-
Products
used around the house like paint, paint thinner, stain, and varnish.
Other harmful leftover materials include batteries
and prescription medicines.
-
Bug
sprays used on lawn, in the house, by you, and on pets
-
Toilet
bowl cleaner, oven cleaner, tub and tile cleaner, and other household cleaners.
-
Shoe
polish, lighter fluid, pool chemicals, aerosol cans.
Household
Chemical
Collection
Center
To
dispose of harmful chemicals and waste, you can call the
Household
Chemical
Collection
Center
in
Springfield
at 417-864-2000. The person at the facility
will advise how to dispose of the waste properly. If
the waste is too hazardous, the person at the facility will advise how to transport
the material to the collection center and schedule an appointment to bring the waste to
the collection facility. If you do not live in
Springfield, call your city hall. Your town should have a day for
collection of hazardous wastes
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