People can make choices on their own property that can help keep water clean and save money in treatment costs. Thoughtful landscaping, fertilizing, and maintenance can make a difference.
Everyone can have a positive an impact on water quality. Here's some ideas. Conserve water to reduce the cost of water supply and treatment. Collect rainwater in barrels to water the garden or wash the car. Build a rain garden to make use of stormwater and keep it out of the storm sewer system. Take a pledge through Clear Choices Clean Water to pick up after your pet and to use native plants. Read the label before using fertlizers on lawns or gardens. Even turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth helps a little bit.
Hold water in the soil by planting flowers that will take up the water. Plants also take up excess nutrients that we want to keep out of the water supply. Cover crops on a farmer's field hold the soil in place, preventing erosion.
There are many water-oriented cleanup events in our region. Look for group outings that collect fishing line and lures from riversides and trash from ditches and streams. Some scout groups stencil storm sewers to let people know that storm water goes directly to area streams. Metroparks organize seed collecting and planting events.
Composting drastically reduces the amount of waste a household generates. Egg shells, banana peels, and coffee grounds can all be added to your compost pile. You'll be creating rich soil for a garden or flower pots while reducing the growth of landfills. Landfills must be treated for leachate and monitored for methane production.
TMACOG is a member organization. Members include governments: counties, cities, villages, and townships. Non-governmental members include utilities, advocacy organizations, schools, and special districts and authorities.
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