As you undoubtedly have noticed, Morgan Hill is not a beach
community. Yes, we’re closer to the beach than my friend in Utah,
but our inland location certainly makes it hard to remember that
pollution from Morgan Hill winds up at the beach … but it does
… and this, dear readers, gives me cause to write this week’s
column.
As you undoubtedly have noticed, Morgan Hill is not a beach community. Yes, we’re closer to the beach than my friend in Utah, but our inland location certainly makes it hard to remember that pollution from Morgan Hill winds up at the beach … but it does … and this, dear readers, gives me cause to write this week’s column.
You see, Morgan Hill has a network of local creeks that pass through our community. The water in these creeks supports a rich riparian habitat that is home to a wide array of plants and animals including fish, crawdads, trees, birds and insects. Our creeks ultimately flow to a bay where they support an even wider array of ocean-living plants and animals. Think about those oh-so-cute otters found in Monterey Bay.
Now, here is where we humans come in. These plants and animals depend on clean water to live and many of our activities have the potential to pollute the local creeks. Consider the following “normal” activities that we can witness virtually every day in Morgan Hill:
Washing a car in the street or driveway;
Littering; other fluids;
Residents spraying fertilizer or pesticides;
Dirt magically migrating from a yard into the gutter; and
“Professionals” washing off their equipment in the street or on a driveway.
All of these activities result in pollutants being carried directly to our local creeks WITHOUT ANY TREATMENT. That’s right, stormwater (the runoff water you see in our local gutters) does not get treated before it is discharged into local creeks. This is the big difference between sewage and stormwater. Sewage is contained in sturdy pipes and sent to the regional wastewater treatment facility where it is carefully treated before it is discharged into the environment. Stormwater, on the other hand, goes directly into the nearest creek without any treatment whatsoever.
So eco-friends, what should we be doing? In short, we should be preventing the pollution of our local creeks by avoiding the activities and practices that result in pollutants getting into the gutter. Here are some specifics courtesy of the Watershed Watch Web site:
Find some alternative ways to control pests and enrich your soil without toxic chemical pesticides. If you do use pesticides, use them sparingly and according to the directions specified on packaging. Do not use if rain is forecast within 24 hours. Take unwanted pesticides to a household hazardous waste collection event or call to schedule a drop-off appointment at 299-7300.
Clean up trash outside your home. Pick up leaves and yard clippings and recycle as green waste. If you see litter, pick it up and put it in a trash can.
If you change your own oil, recycle the waste oil at the curb or take it to a household hazardous waste collection event. Regularly maintain your car to avoid leaks of auto fluids. Never pour oil or other automobile fluids into a storm drain or onto the ground.
Wash your car on an unpaved area or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash.
Pick up your pet droppings and dispose of them in the trash or in your toilet.
Use kitty litter or other absorbent materials (not your hose) to clean up spills and leaks on paved surfaces. Remember to clean up and properly dispose of the used absorbent.
Rinse latex paint brushes, pans and rollers in the sink. Take leftover latex and oil-based paints and solvents to a hazardous waste collection event. Never pour paint or solvents into a storm drain, sink or onto the ground.
Control erosion around your property to prevent dirt and debris being carried into the storm drain.
Divert rainspouts and garden hoses away from paved surfaces to prevent water from carrying pollutants directly into storm drains. Provide landscaping next to sidewalks and driveways to collect runoff from paved surfaces.
Eco-Fact of the Week: Our city sits on the dividing line between two very large watersheds. While most Morgan Hill stormwater eventually winds up in Monterey Bay, stormwater in the north end of town, generally north of Cochrane Road, flows into the San Francisco Bay.
Eco-Web Pages of the Week: There are many great Web sites about preventing pollution of stormwater. A great site for children is www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids/. A site offering key local information and background information for older children and adults is www.mywatershedwatch.org.
Anthony Eulo is a Program Administrator for the city of Morgan Hill who eagerly gave up washing his own car once he learned that runoff was bad for creeks. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at 778-6480 or en*****@************ca.gov.
