Make Your Yard a Water Pollution Solution

Water pollution is a result of industrial or commercial activities but pollutants from residential areas - such as petroleum, pesticides, fertilizers and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from solvents – can be carried in storm water runoff to rivers, lakes and oceans. There are simple ways to prevent your home from contaminating fresh water sources and make it part of the water pollution solution.

In a perfect world, water goes from cloud to ground to streams to oceans. In a paved, impervious world, water goes from cloud to pavement and skips the important step of infiltration – the process of percolating through soils before reaching water bodies.

While this may not seem like a big deal, it is. When water hits man-made surfaces the result is storm water runoff which causes two problems: flooding and pollution. The flooding is caused by a surge of rainwater that has no where to go.

The pollution is caused by that water picking up pollutants and depositing them directly into streams, rivers, lakes and oceans without first being processed and cleansed by soils. Recent studies have revealed that about 70% of pollutants in streams, rivers and lakes was delivered by storm water runoff and that half of those pollutants were from residential activities.

Permeable Materials

One way you can help alleviate storm water runoff is to use permeable paving materials. I’m not certain when blacktop became the driveway material of choice, but I do know there are better alternatives. Permeable paving materials allow rainwater to percolate into the soil. This reduces flooding and the amount of pollutants that reach water bodies. It also helps restore the soil moisture content around your home and recharges aquifers.

Consider a Cistern

A friend of mine who owns a farm in Hawaii has what I consider a giant cistern behind his home. It’s quite impressive and he uses the harvested rainwater for flushing toilets, irrigation and a myriad of other tasks. Even those of us who don’t live on the “dry” side of the island can take a cue from his example, as well as examples around Britain, Germany, China and Australia where cisterns are common.

Cisterns are water retention systems that catch rainwater. They can be above or below ground and new systems even incorporate them into driveways reducing site work costs (only have to dig once). The water can be used for landscaping irrigation, washing cars, washing the dog, flushing toilets and other household requirements that don’t require potable water.

Build a Rain Garden

A rain garden is a bowl shaped perennial garden designed to absorb rainwater and storm water runoff. They are a simple and effective way to make your yard part of the water pollution solution.

There are many online resources and community groups where you can learn how to build a rain garden. In short, to create a functioning rain garden you loosen the soil to create a “dip”, use native plants and flowers, place strategically in your yard and enjoy a blooming seasonal reminder of your efforts to reduce water pollution.

Common Sense Solutions

• Practice natural lawn and garden care
• Skip the pesticides
• Use fertilizers properly
• Don’t dispose of pollutants in storm drains (it doesn’t go to a treatment plant)
• Dispose of paints, solvents, motor oil and anti-freeze properly
• Pick up after pets
• Clean up spilled car fluids with absorbent materials

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional, general contractor or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.