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James River Basin -
Nonpoint Source Pollution and Prevention
 Non-point source pollution comes from
widespread sources. It is hard to pinpoint exactly where non-point pollution comes from.
Non-point source pollution is the greatest source pollution in our nation’s
waters. We all contribute non-point source pollution. Some examples are:
- Chemicals that are applied on our yards and on farmlands - used to kill weeds and bugs.
- Fertilizers applied to make plants grow better.
- Oil, grease, antifreeze, and brake fluid from our automobiles that drips onto the pavement.
- Soil eroding from river banks soil that runs off of the land into rivers.
- Bacteria from the animal waste. This includes farm animals, pets, and wildlife.
- Septic tanks that leak, causing bacteria and phosphorous to enter the water.
If You Live on a
Farm
From: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/mqanda.html
- Find talk to your
parents about fertilizer, weed and bug sprays used.
Learn about where to get assistance with application rates and
equipment - most
likely its the nearest county extension office: http://extension.missouri.edu/swregion/
- Do not let your farm
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.
- Help plant
vegetation on nearby water sources to help reduce the amount of pollutants that may reach
the stream
If You Own a
Septic Tank
If your home has a
septic tank, ask your parents if they have had it inspected recently. Septic systems should be pumped out every 2-3
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
- 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:
Dont’s
- 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 2-3 years. An inspection now will let you know 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
Stormwater Runoff
From: http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/publicworks/storm_water/prevention.html 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. We can help around the house to l reduce the amount
of stormwater runoff debris and clean it before it enters storm. 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 will cause the chemicals to seep into the groundwater. This polluted water will eventually reach the James
River and eventually it will reach Table Rock Lake.
- Do not pour harmful
chemicals like household cleaners and paint down the drain and do not pour them on the
ground outside. In Springfield, you can
dispose of hazardous chemicals at 1226 W. Nichols. Other
communities have dates when they collect hazardous chemicals. Call your city hall to find out.
- 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. Too much phosphorous in the rivers and lakes is a
problem in the James River Basin.
- 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.
- 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.
Additional information and
stormwater projects in the Springfield area: http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/publicworks/storm_water/improvements.html
How to Dispose
of Harmful Materials
Do not touch chemicals are around the house. However,
find out from your parents about how they get rid of chemicals around the house. Some chemicals in your house should not be poured
down the drain or put in the trashcan. They
should not be put in the trashcan because they will leak from the landfill and harm the
groundwater. They should not be poured on the
ground outside.
Products that are Hazardous
There are some key words your parents should 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
your parents’ car. 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 your lawn, in your house,
on you, and on your pet.
- Toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner, tub and
tile cleaner, and other household cleaners.
- Shoe polish, lighter fluid, pool chemicals
and aerosol cans.
Household Chemical Collection
Center
To
dispose of harmful chemicals and waste, contact the Household Chemical Collection Center in Springfield at
417-864-2000. The person at the facility will
advise on how to dispose of the waste properly. If
the waste is too hazardous for you to dispose of yourself, the person at the facility will
tell you how to transport the material to the collection center. They will then give you an appointment when you can
bring the waste to the collection facility. If
you do not live in Springfield, call your city hall. Your
town should have a day when you can bring your hazardous wastes to be taken away.
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