April 2008

Source Water Protection Planning Begins

As Earth Day approaches us, we are reminded to be conscious of the daily decisions we make to protect the air, the soil and the water. At the District, we will soon be focusing on our Source Water Protection Plan. As a citizen you can play a major role in protecting our source water.

It is important for us to keep nonpoint-source pollution under control. When rain falls or snow melts, the seemingly insignificant amounts of chemicals around your home get picked up and carried via arroyos, culverts and drainage ditches to our surface waters at the base of the mountains. The ramifications could eventually lead to polluted drinking water and endangered wildlife. It has not come to this point in our community, and we would love to work together to keep it that way.

You can help by taking a close look at practices around your home that might be contributing to polluted runoff. You can begin by using non-toxic cleaning solutions. Oftentimes with natural cleaners, you can dilute them as instructed. This stretches your dollar even further while helping the environment. When you get rid of unwanted chemicals from your home, take them to a hazardous waste collection center rather than pouring them down the drain. Although the soil is able to break down many items, it cannot purify most chemicals. When you choose laundry detergent, choose low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents. Use water-based products over oil-based products whenever possible. If you run into a pest problem with your plants, search for alternatives to pesticides to solve the problem. In the kitchen, grab an aluminum can from your recycling and scrape all of your grease into the can.

In your yard, use companion planting techniques that discourage pest infestation. Preserve existing trees, plants and shrubs which help prevent erosion. There is a landscaping/permaculture technique called “swales” that you can use which creates low areas in your yard, thereby increasing infiltration of water and decreasing runoff. Gravel trenches along your driveway and patio areas also help to collect water and increase filtration. If there are any bare areas in your yard, spread some seeds or put some mulch down. If you have yard trimmings, compost them and redistribute the compost to your yard. It provides nutrients for the soil and water retention. Do a spring cleaning of your yard and remove all chemical containers that may be lying around.

Your immediate environment affects the clean water that comes out of your tap. All of your water byproduct is sent to the wastewater treatment plant where we ensure the United States Fish and Wildlife Service that the water we return to the earth is just as clean as it was when it came out of the earth. Our neighbors, the plants and wildlife of the Baca Wildlife Refuge depend on us. If you would like more information on any of the suggestions listed above, please give us a call at (719) 256-4310.