Clean water and a healthy environment start with you and your neighbors. This list offers many easy and inexpensive ideas that will benefit water quality within the village. By practicing these suggestions, you will be doing your part for a cleaner and healthier environment.
(1) Lawn and garden care. Well-maintained lawns and gardens can be a real benefit to water quality and the local community. They add beauty, control erosion, filter runoff from adjacent hard surfaces, reduce dust, and help moderate summer heat. However, lawns and gardens are often the reason for excessive water use and unnecessary applications of fertilizer. To help:
a. Reduce soil erosion by planting appropriate plant cover on bare patches of ground.
b. Do not apply pesticides or fertilizer if heavy rain is expected. Use only fertilizers that are really needed, based on soil tests and specific needs of your plants. The agricultural extension center will test soils for free, and some nurseries may also offer this service.
c. Keep fertilizer off driveways and sidewalks where it will be washed into storm drains.
d. Remember that it is illegal to dump yard waste into creeks, ponds, wetlands, and the ocean. Yard waste may be either composted or landfilled.
e. When removing mildew from your house or roof, use the most dilute solution of cleaner that will do the job. If possible, use biodegradable products.
f. Contact your county extension agent at (910) 253-2610 for information on plant and integrated pest management (reducing the application of chemicals by using natural controls).
(2) Household chemicals. Most households contain numerous chemicals that can be dangerous if released into the environment such as: spot remover, furniture polish, deodorizers, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, disinfectants, ammonia, paint and other finishes, thinners and solvents, and batteries. These chemicals can become pollutants if residues are poured down home drains or onto the land surface. To help:
a. Select the least toxic products that will do the job and use only when necessary. Use only recommended amounts and do not mix chemicals.
b. Do not apply chemicals near creeks, wetlands, or the ocean. Stuff used cans of paint with newspapers and allow to dry before putting the cans into the trash.
c. Never pour household chemicals down the drain or onto the ground.
(3) Motor vehicles. The oil from a single automobile can produce an eight-acre oil slick, and a single quart of motor oil can contaminate as much as two million gallons of drinking water. Used oil, antifreeze, and other motor vehicle fluids are often dumped on land or into roadside ditches. To help:
a. Maintain motor vehicles and repair leaks promptly.
b. Dispose of used motor oil in oil recycling centers. Many auto parts stores will take used oil and car batteries.
c. Arrange with local service stations or recycling centers to take your used antifreeze. Avoid gas tank overflows during refueling.
d. Take your car to a commercial car wash where the cleaning water is discharged to a treatment plant. If you do wash your car at home, use a nontoxic and biodegradable detergent.
(4) Septic tanks. Septic systems depend upon bacterial action and soils to absorb the discharge of household wastewater. If the drain field is damaged or the soil becomes saturated, nearby surface waters may become contaminated with sewage products.
a. Do not overload the system by allowing an inappropriately large number of people to share a single dwelling.
b. Avoid putting household chemicals down the drain that could destroy bacteria.
c. Consider giving up garbage disposals that add unnecessary solids and grease to the system.
d. Do not flush or pour down the drain: grease, coffee grounds, cigarettes, facial tissues and paper towels, sanitary products, and disposable diapers.
e. Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the system.
f. Maintain adequate vegetative cover over the drain field.
g. Follow the guideline below to determine how frequently to have your septic tank pumped.
Estimating Septic Tank Inspection and Pumping Frequency in Years
Tank Size (gallons) | Number of People Using the System | ||||
1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |
900 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
1,000 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
1,250 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
1,500 | 19 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
(5) Grinder pump stations. Grinder pump stations are located on the lots within the village that have sewer service. These stations receive wastewater discharged from a residence or commercial site and hold it until a certain volume is being stored. At this point, the grinder pump turns on, grinding the solids in the wastewater while it is pumped to the wastewater treatment facility. If these pump stations are not properly maintained they may malfunction, causing a discharge of untreated wastewater to nearby surface or groundwaters.
a. Avoid putting household chemicals down the drain that could harm the pump or electrical connections.
b. Consider giving up garbage disposals that add unnecessary grease to the system.
c. Do not flush or pour down the drain grease, coffee grounds, cigarettes, facial tissues and paper towels, sanitary products, and disposable diapers.
d. Keep automobiles and heavy equipment away from the pump station.
e. Assure that the high water alarms are working properly so that maintenance personnel may be notified upon failure of the system.
(6) Hard surfaces. Hard surfaces such as paved roads, driveways, rooftops, and parking lots cause rapid runoff of rainwater. As water flows from hard surfaces, it captures pollutants before it is discharged into our waterways. On the other hand natural, vegetated areas improve water quality by soaking up and cleansing rain. To help: On your property, try to limit the area of impervious surfaces such as concrete, brick, highly compacted gravel, crushed shell, coquina, and covered decks.
(7) Boats. Recreational boaters use a variety of cleaners, finishes, and antifouling compounds, and are often responsible for discharging garbage, sewage, and petroleum products into our waterways. Boats that create excessive wakes contribute to shoreline erosion and increase sediment loads to adjacent waterways. To help:
a. Avoid producing wakes within 500 feet of shore.
b. Scrub boats with brush and water instead of routinely using soap or detergent. If cleaners are needed to remove stains, use phosphate-free detergents.
c. Do not discharge boat sewage or trash into waterways.
d. Use a drop cloth when scraping boat hulls to catch toxic chips of paint or antifouling.
(8) Animal waste. Animal wastes are high in nutrients and bacteria which can contribute to excessive plant growth in waterways as well as closure of shellfishing beds and swimming areas. Clean up after pets and dispose of wastes in the trash or toilet.
(Ord. of 5-20-2000, app. B; Ord. No. 2016-1202, 12-16-2016)