Our local creeks are an often overlooked natural habitat in
Morgan Hill. What looks like a small drainage canal of no
significance is actually a
“live” creek complete with fish, shellfish, and a whole host of
insects and plants.
Our local creeks are an often overlooked natural habitat in Morgan Hill. What looks like a small drainage canal of no significance is actually a “live” creek complete with fish, shellfish, and a whole host of insects and plants.
The water from most of our creeks ultimately finds its way down to Monterey Bay. The creeks in north Morgan Hill flow to San Francisco Bay.
Because these creeks serve as a home to so many plants and animals, it is important that we do our best to keep trash, dirt and pollutants from flowing into the creeks during storms.
Here are some tips courtesy of Watershed Watch:
• 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.
• Wash your car on an unpaved area or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash.
• If you change your own oil, recycle the waste oil at the curb or take it to a Household Hazardous Wa-ste 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.
• Find some alternative ways to control pests inside and outside your home, 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.
• Pick up your pet droppings and dispose of them in the trash.
• 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.
nRinse latex paint brushes, pans and rollers in the sink. Filter and reuse oil-based paint thinner or brush cleaners. 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.
nControl erosion around your property to prevent dirt and debris being carried into the storm drain.
n 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: Just one gallon of used motor oil can pollute up to two million gallons of fresh water.
Eco-Web Pages of the Week: The Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program is an association of 13 cities and towns in the Santa Clara Valley, together with Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Program participants share a common permit to discharge storm water to South San Francisco Bay. Their public education site is www.watershedwatch.net
Anthony Eulo is a program administrator for the City of Morgan Hill who uses ecological soap when he washes his dog in the driveway. He’s generally too lazy to wash his car – though he does occasionally vacuum the inside – but if he did, he’d use the eco-soap on it too. He welcomes your questions, comments and thoughts, and can be reached at en*****@************ca.gov or 779-7247.
