We all live in a
watershed. Watersheds are areas of land where runoff from rain and snow drains
into a lake, stream, river or wetland. Water constantly travels over the land’s
surfaces that include farmland, lawns and city streets, on its course to a
waterway. When it rains, water runs over the surface picking up any pollutants
that are on the way. Small amounts of motor oil, pet waste, pesticides or
litter are multiplied along the journey to the nearest waterway.
Watersheds are full of
life. They provide habitat for fish, birds and wildlife and provide excellent
recreational opportunities. They are also a source of drinking water for multiple
communities such as the Kentucky River and Lake Herrington bodies of water. No
matter where you live, work or play, you are always in a watershed.
What we all do to the
land makes a difference in the quality of water in our rivers and streams. Your property values are generally higher near
healthy rather than impaired waterways. Because
of this, and because our lives brings us into daily contact with local water
resources and watersheds, we should spend a lot of our time and efforts
protecting our water resources.
Ten Simple Steps to Protect Your Watershed
The right decisions
can help protect these important water resources. Here are a few ways you can
help preserve the source of our drinking water and our wildlife habitat.
- Plan the landscaping
around your home or business with more permeable surfaces that allow water to
soak into the ground. Try to limit concrete and asphalt, as they contribute to
increased levels of storm water runoff. Help prevent soil erosion by preserving
existing trees and planting new trees and shrubs. Cover exposed soil with grass seed and straw
and implement no-till agriculture practices when possible over conventional
tillage.
- Keep areas near streams
and rivers vegetated to provide a buffer for the waterway from pollutants,
excess nutrients and debris. Also try to
mitigate vehicular and livestock access into waterways or other disturbances
that accelerate soil erosion.
- Use native plants that
require minimal fertilizer, herbicides and watering. Do not over-apply
chemicals and avoid application immediately before it rains.
- Find an opportunity for
a rain garden. Rain gardens use native plants and grasses to capture and absorb
rainwater from rooftops and roads. These planned gardens help simplify lawn
maintenance, control erosion and reduce runoff into streams and storm water
systems.
- Keep litter, pet waste
and yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Pet waste contains bacteria
that can find its way into waterways through runoff.
- Select non-toxic or less
toxic alternatives to typical household products, such as cleaning
agents. Use hazardous waste
collection sites and services for disposal of household wastes such as chemicals,
paints, motor oil and batteries. Be sure to check the list of approved items
accepted by the collection agency.
- Use pharmaceutical
disposal programs offered by local police or health departments or other
agencies that can help you dispose of unneeded medicines safely.
- Recycle! Visit the
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources recycling resources site.
- Get involved in
community activities to clean up waterways and monitor water quality.
- At work, consider
membership in EPA’s WasteWise – a free, voluntary program through which
organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial
wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment.