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How to Keep Beaches Open and Shrimp on the Barbie this Summer
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Looking forward to a long, lazy summer? We are too! So make sure you take time now to scoop the poop, keep leaves and yard waste out of the storm drain, test your soil before you fertilize and put cigarette butts in the trash. These four actions have a lot to do with enjoying trips to the beach and dining on fresh local seafood. See for yourself:
1- IF we leave pet waste on the ground » bacteria is carried to local waterways » water becomes contaminated » THEN we cannot swim at local beaches or eat local seafood
2- IF we rake or blow leaves into the street » organic material is carried to local waterways via the storm drain » leaves and grass decompose, using up dissolved oxygen that is needed by fish and crabs » THEN there's a decline in population of local fish and crabs
3- IF we over fertilize lawn » nitrogen and phosphorus are carried to local waterways via the storm drain » algae blooms grow quickly » THEN our waterways become discolored, smell foul and are not desirable for swimming or boating
4- IF we throw cigarette butts and other trash on the ground » litter is carried to local waterways via the storm drain » waterways become polluted with litter » THEN it's unpleasant for swimming and harms aquatic life
Every choice we make and every action we take has a negative or positive impact. Now that you know how to improve local water quality, here's to a summer full of great times and good eats! |
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During Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24
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Did you know that an average home can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks? Nationwide, more than one trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. In honor of national Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24, askHRgreen.org reminds you to check your plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems. To help save water for future generations (and save a substantial amount on your utility bill each month) simply check, twist and replace!
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Check for leaks.
Look for dripping faucets, showerheads and fixture connections. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank to see if appears in the bowl before you flush. Don't forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
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Twist and tighten pipe connections.
To save more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a faucet aerator that has a WaterSense label.
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Replace the fixture if necessary.
Look for WaterSense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
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Get all the information you need on finding and fixing expensive household leaks. |
