Small choices at home can help protect streams, rivers, and water quality.
Rainwater and melting snow do not disappear after they hit the ground.
According to the Unified Government (UG), that water flows downhill through yards, streets, storm drains, creeks, and rivers. The land area where water drains to a shared creek, stream, river, or lake is called a watershed.
Everyone lives in a watershed. That means water connects neighborhoods across city, county, and even state lines. What happens in one area can affect water quality far downstream.
Stormwater runoff is one way pollution reaches local waterways. When rain falls on rooftops, streets, parking lots, and yards, it often cannot soak into the ground. Instead, it runs across hard surfaces and picks up pollutants along the way.
That runoff can carry fertilizers, lawn chemicals, pet waste, litter, cigarette filters, automotive fluids, and yard waste into storm drains. From there, stormwater flows directly into local streams and rivers without treatment.
These pollutants can harm water quality, wildlife, and public health.
Residents can help protect local watersheds through simple, everyday actions. Native plants can help absorb water and reduce runoff. Keeping trash, leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste out of streets and storm drains helps keep pollution from washing into waterways.
Picking up pet waste also matters. Pet waste can carry bacteria into stormwater when it is left on the ground.
Residents should also use lawn chemicals carefully by following label directions and avoiding application before rain, unless the product instructions say otherwise. Adding compost can help improve soil health, which allows the ground to absorb more water.
Other helpful steps include redirecting downspouts toward lawns or gardens, washing vehicles at a commercial car wash or on grass, and using rain barrels or rain gardens to keep more rainwater on the property.
Watersheds are a reminder that local actions do not stop at the edge of a yard or neighborhood. What flows off one property can affect streams and rivers across the region.
To learn more about watersheds and stormwater protection, visit the UG Stormwater Quality webpage or call 3-1-1.
