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Common Household Practices Can Cause Stream Problems
The weather is nice, so you decide to wash your car and maybe even change oil. Next, you decide to get those dandelions under control with a herbicide and maybe spray the area next to the deck to keep insects away. It appears to be an ideal, productive day.
Unfortunately, these well intended actions can have a disastrous effect on Laurel Run. Your house may sit hundreds of yards from the stream, but every chemical that doesn't go into your septic system or the septic plant can end up eventually leaching into the stream. Some chemicals are unaffected by the septic process and can leach into the stream.
Once in the stream, chemicals can kill insect or plant life used as food or shelter by fish, amphibians, and other creatures or even the creatures themselves. Sure, the amount of chemicals you use on this one nice day is a small amount. But multiply that by several folks doing the same thing on several nice days and a deadly problem can soon be created.
Here are some the most common problem causers and what to do about them.
- Don't put chemicals in the storm drains in or along the street. Both eventually lead to the stream. One pint of motor oil, for example, will cause a one acre slick on water, killing insects and reducing oxygen. Never pour oil, antifreeze, pesticide, herbicide, or any household chemical onto the street or into a storm drain.
- Do dispose of chemicals properly - Take oil to a recycler. Read the label of any chemical product to determine the appropriate way to dispose of the contents. If the label of any household or garage product contains the words "toxic, flammable, caustic,corrosive, caution, danger, warning, or poison", it must be used and stored cautiously.
- NEVER bury or dump on the ground any hazardous household waste.
- Don't over apply herbicides or insecticides - In 1998, 85 million pounds of pesticide active ingredient were applied nationwide for pest control. Often folks do not realize that "weed and feed" products contain herbicides. Read the product label carefully, follow the directions, and heed all warnings.
- Sweep when possible rather than hose - Hosing your driveway washes vehicle related pollutants, such as oil or antifreeze drips you may not have noticed, into the storm drain or roadway and eventually into the stream. Washing your vehicle on your yard is also helpful - runoff is filtered through the ground, rather than running straight into the stream on the road pavement or through the storm drain.
- Use sand for ice traction, rather than chemicals - Chemicals on your sidewalk may not seem like much, but when you add them to those of your neighbors the total amount can be considerable.
- Always read warning labels carefully - Read the label of any chemical product, whether household cleaner, herbicide, insecticide, or automotive, to determine the appropriate way to dispose of the contents.
- Avoid applying pesticides and fertilizers before storms.
- Never apply pesticides and fertilizers near wells, streams, or ponds unless instructions allow such use.
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