TO DO

Have students work with their parents to properly dispose of any unused hazardous chemicals currently stored in their home.

Have students find out whether their home has a septic system, and when it was last pumped.

There are many things individuals can do to reduce non-point source pollution and protect water quality. The following guidelines are steps that people can implement in their homes and communities:

Many common household products are toxic to people and the environment. Some oven cleaners, furniture polish, drain cleaners and spot cleaners are examples of potentially hazardous household products.

• Use alternative "green" products sold in many mainstream and health food stores.
• Buy only what you need or share the leftovers with others rather than storing them.
• Store materials in their original labeled containers.
• Dispose of unused materials and containers at hazardous waste disposal days (contact your county recycling coordinator or Department of Public Works for dates and locations).
• If your community does not already have a program for collecting household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to establish one.

Many homes have septic systems to treat household wastewater. If the system is incorrectly maintained it can malfunction and pollute surface and ground water resources.

• Know the location of your septic system, the tank(s), distribution box, and distribution lines.
• Do not dispose of hazardous materials down drains.
• Have the tank pumped every 3-5 years.
• Do not plant deep-rooted vegetation near the system because this could clog or crack the tank and piping.

Some homes have tanks to store heating oil. Leaking tanks are a threat to ground water supplies.

What you can do:

• Homeowners should have a tank tightness test performed upon tank installation and periodically afterwards.
• Beware of leakage signs: odors in well water, petroleum smell in basement, dead vegetation near tank, or unusual increase in fuel usage.
• Opt for an above-ground tank with spill containment.

TO DO

Have students test their soil for pH levels and other nutrients if it has not been tested in the past three years. Call the Rutgers Cooperative Extension at 973.285.8300 to obtain a soil testing kit.

Start a Schoolyard Habitat program to encourage native plant species and create beneficial wildlife habitat (see Appendix 7).

Home gardeners use an array of products to keep lawns and gardens green and weed-free. However, if fertilizers or pesticides are misapplied, the materials can run off during a rainstorm and contaminate local streams and lakes.

• Reduce the lawn size and plant ground covers and native plants that require fewer chemical inputs, using techniques such as IPM.
• Test your soil every three years for pH levels and nutrients before applying fertilizers. Your county Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service sells inexpensive soil test kits and analyzes the soil samples at their labs.
• Avoid getting fertilizer on driveways, sidewalks and streets.
• Follow instructions for using pesticides carefully, or consider using an alternative pest control method.
• Keep litter, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. This type of waste contains high levels of nutrients that disrupt the natural balance of local water bodies.

Roads, rooftops, driveways and parking lots do not allow water to infiltrate. This impervious coverage creates increased runoff into streams that can exacerbate flooding, streambank erosion, and provide transportation for litter and other pollutants.

• Allow stormwater to filter into the soil by installing a gravel driveway or permeable paths and patios.
• Divert gutter down spouts into dry wells, lawns, or capture in a cistern for watering your garden.
• Stencil the storm drains in your neighborhood with the message "Do not dump - drains to ______ stream."

Animal waste from pets, wildlife and livestock is a source of water pollution. Animal waste contains a high concentration of nutrients and also potential for pathogens and bacteria.

What you can do:

• Clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in the trash or toilet.
• Promote and comply with "pooper-scooper" ordinances.
• Do not feed duck and geese.

Antifreeze, motor oil and batteries contain toxic chemicals that must be disposed of properly.

What you can do:

• Do not dump automotive fluids down the storm drain, on the ground or in septic systems.
• Recycle used motor oil and batteries.
• Properly maintain your vehicle.
• Wash the car at a commercial car wash or on a grassy area so water can be absorbed into the soil.
• Use public transportation whenever possible.

TO DO

Start a storm drain stenciling project around your school. Find out what streams the storm drain leads to, and stencil a colorful design state "Drains to _____ Stream." (See Appendix 6).

Encourage students to pick up after their pets and dispose of the waste properly.

Sediment is the number one water contaminant in the nation. It can carry water pollutants, smother wildlife habitat and clog fish gills.

What you can do:

• Plant appropriate vegetation in areas that have bare soil
• Contact your regional Soil Conservation District for assistance with erosion problems.

The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a private, non-profit citizen’s organization dedicated to the protection of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and its watershed. The Great Swamp watershed is a 55-square mile region in Morris and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, that includes portions of ten different towns (see Table, p. 5). Founded in 1981, the Association promotes the conservation and restoration of the watershed’s natural resources and encourages land use that is compatible with these goals. The GSWA provides three types of services:

Technical Services:

These include monitoring water quality and quantity in the streams of the watershed, assessing the impact of further land development, and offering legal and design guidance to help resolve local planning and zoning disputes.

Educational Services:

These include helping developers learn about more effective stormwater management techniques, helping teachers bring environmental learning to life in the classroom, and providing environmental information to students and local residents.

Community Services:

These include acquiring land for preservation, serving as environmental advocate before local governmental bodies, and offering a wide variety of programs for the public and our 2,5000 members.

The Great Swamp Watershed Association seeks volunteers for mailings and other office needs, water quality monitoring, ecological restoration work, education and outreach in area schools, and grant-writing. Call 973.966.1900 for more information.

Anyone interested in volunteering to staff the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Wildlife Observation Center should call 973.425.1222.

² The information in this section is adapted from the Upper Raritan Watershed Association's Teacher's Guide to the Upper Raritan Watershed.

Copyright 2000. Great Swamp Watershed Association.