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- Source Water Protection:
**SOURCE
WATER PROTECTION PLANNING**
Protect
Your Drinking Water Protect the Source
The Water Quality Control
Division and the Source Water Protection Program awarded to CCMD a source
water protection planning grant in the amount of $5,000. Mr. Paul Hempel, who is with the Colorado
Rural Water Association, provided training and technical assistance to Colorado
Centre Metropolitan District in developing a Source Water Protection
Plan. Through input from the CRWA,
WQCD, the steering committee and stakeholders, a Source Water Protection
Plan compiled by CCMD District Manager, Dr. Testa, was approved at the October
28, 2010 regular board meeting. The
CCMD Source Water Protection
Plan is available on the CCMD website. To support the plan and
implement best management practices, information will be made available in
newsletters, the website, at board meetings, etc.
The following was
made available by El Paso County:
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Household
hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor
oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick
or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted
water. Polluted storm water often
affects drinking water sources. This
can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs. Many products used in the home, garden,
garage and hobby shop contain hazardous chemicals that can potentially harm
the user and/or the environment. Use
safety precautions when using, storing or disposing of any hazardous
products. When discarding these
products, they become household hazardous waste requiring proper
disposal. A great resource is the El Paso County
Recycling Directory.
The following was
made available by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Storm Water Runoff Pollution
1. Use Fertilizers
sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters.
2. Never dump anything down storm drains or
in streams.
3. Vegetate bare
spots in your yard.
4. Compost your
yard waste.
5. Use least toxic
pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems.
6. Direct downspouts
away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff.
7. Take your car to
the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
8. Check your car
for leaks and recycle your motor oil.
9. Pick up after
your pet.
10. Have your
septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTED STORMWATER
Sediment
can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants
to grow. Sediment also can destroy
aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients
can cause algae blooms. When algae
die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen
from the water. Fish and other
aquatic organism cant exist in water with low dissolved oxygen
levels. Bacteria and other pathogens
can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach
closures necessary. Debris (plastic
bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts) washed into water
bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish,
turtles, and birds. Household hazardous wastes like insecticides,
pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can
poison aquatic life. Land animals
and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish
or ingesting polluted water.
Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This can affect human health and increase
drinking water treatment costs. Pet Waste can be a major
source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters. When walking your pet, remember pick up
the waste and dispose of it properly.
Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases
public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into
the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLANNING
HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP TO PROTECT
THEIR DRINKING WATER SOURCE
● Properly Dispose of Chemicals
Never pour on the ground, down the drain, or toilet!
● Purchase Safer Alternative Products
Choose natural alternative or Green Products!
● Use Fertilizers, Herbicides & Pesticides
Properly
● Good Livestock Management
Keep animals and their waste out of water ways!
●Properly Dispose of Drugs & Personal Care
Products
Pour medications into a sealable plastic bag and add kitty
litter, sawdust or coffee grounds & deposit in the trash along with
unused personal care products.
● Dispose of Pet Waste Properly
Flush pet waste down the toilet, put into the garbage or
bury under 8 of soil. Pick up pet
waste when walking your dog!
● Petroleum Storage
Ensure storage tanks are made of high quality steel and
located on a concrete pad with secondary containment to guard against leaks
and spills.
● Report Spills on Roadways
Report spills from vehicles on the roadways in the
protection area by calling 911 to clean-up the spill and prevent it from
entering the waterways.
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