We all live in a watershed!  Each of us shares the responsibility of keeping Tinker’s Creek watershed healthy and free of pollutants.  Learn more about how you can do your part to keep your watershed healthy!

stormwater_pipe_stillhouse_creekReduce Runoff and Erosion:  By minimizing and decreasing the amount of impervious surface on your property, like impermeable pavements, you can help increase groundwater infiltration and decrease the amounts of runoff leaving your property.  Instead of connecting your downspout to the storm sewer, capturing rain water using a rain barrel or cistern can help reduce runoff and your water utility bill!  Captured rainwater can be used for outdoor irrigation!  Plants actually prefer rainwater to tap water as well.  Planting appropriate riparian vegetation along waterways can help hold the soil in place and reduce erosion as well.

Keep Stormwater Clean:  Every time it rains, pollutants like fertilizer, gasoline, or other chemicals are carried into streams and other water bodies with stormwater.  The chemicals you use have a direct impact on the quality of stormwater.  Reducing your use of fertilizer, pesticides, and other chemicals on your yard can help prevent excess nutrient inputs that may lead to eutrophication or other ecosystem disturbances.

Properly Dispose of Trash:  Stormwater and wind can carry plastic bottles and bags, aluminum cans, and other litter far distances.  The empty water bottle you toss out of your car window could easily end up in a stream or lake.  A lot of litter, like plastic, takes an extremely long time to degrade and is likely to be consumed by animals before degradation.  Be sure to recycle when possible and always properly dispose of trash.  Using reusable bottles, plates, and other materials can help reduce the amount of trash you produce overall as well!

Reduce Water Use:  The water you use either discharges directly into the watershed or must be treated at a wastewater treatment plant prior to discharge into a stream.  Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or washing dishes can greatly reduce the amount of water you use.  Additionally, try to only run the dishwasher when it’s full.  Sweeping your driveway instead of washing it can both reduce your water use and help keep stormwater clean.

Get Involved:  Encourage others to do their part to help keep your watershed clean and healthy!  If you see litter, pick it up.  Get involved with your local watershed organization to see what volunteer programs you can help with.  The only people who can keep our watershed clean is us!