First, get involved: A number of citizen groups have formed to
protect the Nanticoke River. Write to the group nearest you to find out
when and where they next meet and how you can help. See the list of
groups at the end of this page.
Next, choose an activity from the menu below to learn more about how you can help
keep the Nanticoke watershed healthy and safe:
Remember:
Items entering a storm drain are not
treated
before going directly into a local water supply.
What goes into a storm drain, goes
into our water.
Activities such as washing the car, washing down the driveway, or draining the
car's fluids can send detergents and harmful chemicals into your local storm drain
and local waterway. Liquids that enter a storm drain are not treated, but go
directly into a water supply, carrying with it chemicals that can pollute the
water causing fish kills and human illnesses.
Wash the car on grass so that water and detergents are filtered through the
grass before entering the Nanticoke watershed. Also, use an automatic shut-off
nozzle to reduce water usage and runoff from your hose. Motor oil, anti-freeze,
battery acid, brake fluid, gasoline, car wax, and rust preventatives harm the
Nanticoke and the Chesapeake Bay when they flow into storm drains or off paved
surfaces into a waterway, so check for leaks and contain these fluids when you
change them. To discard these materials, contact your local service station
about their recycling programs or call (DE) 1-800-662-8802 or (MD) 1-800-492-9188
for more information about safe disposal of chemicals.
Also, if pesticides, oil, gasoline, or similar products leak or spill onto the
garage floor, driveway, or other hard surface, do not wash down the area. This
will cause further contamination and may carry the material to storm drains or
other water sources. Surround the contaminated area with dirt or sprinkle sawdust,
kitty litter, or other absorbent material over the spill. Sweep everything into a
strong plastic bag, then call your county landfill about the proper way to dispose
of it, since each county handles the disposal of chemicals in its own way.
Pesticides, fertilizer, and eroded soil can make their way into storm drains
and local waterways. Since storm drain matter is not treated, this means that
harmful lawn runoff can pollute local waters causing algae blooms, fish kills,
human illnesses, and restrictions on water recreation.
Limit your use of fertilizers to only what is absolutely necessary. Most lawns
are over-fertilized, so perform a soil test every 3-4 years to determine the lawn's
nutrient needs, then use phosphorus-free fertilizer. Call your local soil
conservation district for more information about soil testing.
Lawns with trees and shrubs prevent erosion, soak up polluting fertilizer and
pesticides before they run into streams, and improve soil quality by adding organic
material. Test your soil and plant the right grasses and plants for your region.
Compost leaves and lawn clippings to use as mulch or use a "mulching mower" and
reduce the need for fertilizer. Also, remember that cutting the lawn too short
weakens the grass and increases the likelihood of weeds.
Try to reduce the use of pesticides and if pesticides are used, try to use a
natural (non-toxic) alternative. Follow the directions carefully on all pesticide
labels and avoid applying when rain is in the forecast. A better way to eliminate
harmful bugs is to encourage helpful bugs, birds, and animals in your yard.
Firewood attracts termites, so make sure it's stored away from your home.
Remove water from old tires to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Household chemical products, septic systems, and erosion can result in harmful
chemicals and sediment making their way into storm drains and local waterways
causing algae blooms, fish kills, human illnesses, and contaminated swimming
areas, drinking water, and food.
Maintain your septic system. Inspections and pumpouts are an important part of
septic system ownership. The Center for Watershed Protections reminds homeowners
that "the cost of regular inspection and pumpouts every three years ($100-$250)
is far cheaper than the estimated $2,000-$8000 it may cost to replace a
malfunctioning system. Even those with relatively new homes need to be
informed that the relative age of a system does not guarantee its proper
function, and that an improperly installed system can fail within three
to five years."
If a septic system fails, its untreated waste seeps into streams, rivers,
groundwater, and the Bay. Your system is not working properly if drains and
toilets drain slowly or if effluent seeps upward from the ground. Never use
your toilet as a garbage can. Use your garbage disposal sparingly to reduce
grease and solids in your septic system. Know the location of your septic system
and keep heavy equipment off the drainage area to prevent compacting and clogging.
Many household products like paints, preservatives, brush cleaners, and
solvents can harm the Nanticoke River and the Chesapeake Bay. Never pour
them down the drain since sewers and septic tanks do not treat these
materials. Buy products with the least amount of toxic material. Stuff empty
paint cans and other chemical containers with newspaper and refer to a household
hazardous waste chart for proper disposal. Call your local wastewater treatment
facility or the Water Environment Federation at 703-684-2400 for guidance.
When rain falls on hard surfaces such as walkways, patios, and driveways, it
enters storm drains and ditches and finds its way into the Nanticoke River. This
water carries with it elements that may be harmful to the river. Slow run-off by
reducing the amount of hard surfaces around your home. Wood decks with space
between the boards allow water to drain into the ground. Brick or interlocking
stone walkways also permit water to seep into the soil. Diverting rain from paved
surfaces and roofs onto grass also reduces run-off into storm drains. Plant trees.
Trees can help keep streams and the Nanticoke River free of nutrients and sediment
and improve water quality. They can also reduce non-point source pollution, which
is runoff and erosion from no single point of origin. Put a rain barrel under your
rain spout to reduce runoff created by hard rains, then use that water in your
garden.
If possible, purchase non-phosphate laundry detergents and non-toxic cleaning
products; choose latex paint rather than oil-based paint; and use fabric softener
sheets rather than liquids.
Finally, saving water helps the Nanticoke by reducing the volume of water
going through sewage treatment plants. It also can save you money. In one day,
a dripping faucet wastes 20 gallons of water and a leaking toilet 200 gallons.
Use water sparingly while brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or shaving.
Install a water conservation shower head and take short showers instead of baths.
Pet waste can be detrimental to water quality because it can introduce harmful
nutrients and bacteria into storm drains and local waterways causing algae blooms,
fish kills, human illnesses, and contaminated swimming areas, drinking water, and
food. The Center for Watershed Protection reports that approximately 40% of
Chesapeake Bay area residents own a dog, so cleaning up after pets is vital to
keeping the Nanticoke watershed healthy and safe. Take along a plastic bag
when walking the dog and help keep bacteria out of the Nanticoke River.
Contact these groups to find out how you can help protect the Nanticoke watershed:
Nanticoke Citizen Groups
Nanticoke Watershed Preservation Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 1453
Seaford, DE 19973
contact: Jeanne Conner at jlcsurvey@aol.com
Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy
P.O. Box 595
Seaford, DE 19973
contact: Betsy Archer at earcher@attglobal.net
Friends of the Nanticoke River
P.O. Box 15
Nanticoke, MD 21840-0015
contact: Judith Stribling at jmstribling@salisbury.edu
