Watershed Protection | Roswell, GA

January: Stormwater 101 – Follow that Stormwater

Precipitation that flows over the ground, such as rain or snowmelt, is referred to as stormwater. Over natural terrain, much of this water soaks into the ground before reaching surface waterways. However, when stormwater flows over roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways or impervious surfaces, the water runs over these surfaces and is collected in the stormwater pipes. This stormwater runoff collects pollutants and debris as it flows untreated through stormwater inlet structures directly into our City creeks and streams. These pollutants can decrease the quality of water in our streams and creeks by impacting our local ecosystem and our water supply.

You can decrease the negative impacts of stormwater runoff in two ways. First, consider using rain barrels or building a rain garden to reduce the total stormwater runoff from your property. Second, minimize pollutants and debris in stormwater by reducing pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer use and by properly recycling household wastes. When combined, these basic steps can go a long way in improving local water quality and ecosystem health.

Please visit www.roswellgov.com/Stormwater for more information.

February: Garden with Purpose: Rain Gardens

Here in Roswell we get our fair share of rain. When there is abundant rainfall, stormwater moves quickly over roads, driveways, and parking lots. This water rushes into storm drains or directly into creeks, stripping away the soil along the banks and clouding the waterways. This degrades the aquatic ecosystems as excess amounts of sediment and pollutants enter into local streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rainfall can cause similar damage on your property or even cause flooding. You can help reduce these potential problems by creating a rain garden.

A rain garden is a vegetated low spot to which surface runoff is diverted. Drains and gutters can be modified to direct rainwater away from storm drains, driveways, or walkways and to a rain garden. Once the water reaches the garden, it soaks into the soil where it irrigates the plants and is filtered of sediment and cleansed of many pollutants. In general, about 30% more rainwater is soaked into a rain garden than into lawn, reducing the volume of stormwater rushing into drains and streams.

A variety of native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses can be planted in a rain garden. You can design the garden to have seasonal color and interest, choosing plants that attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Since a rain garden is designed to self-water, this feature is a low maintenance addition to your yard.

Rain gardens not only reduce pollution and better manage stormwater on your property, but can be a yard’s aesthetic gem. For more information on planning and designing your rain garden, check out the following articles:

For local sources of native plants, contact Nikki Belmonte atnbelmonte@roswellgov.com.

March: Why Maintain Your Septic System?

Maintaining Your Septic System…

• Saves you money
• Protects your property value
• Keeps you and your neighbors healthy
• Protects the environment

Do you have a septic system? For residents not connected to a municipal wastewater system, a properly functioning septic system can provide adequate and affordable on-site treatment of household wastewater. However, when these systems are not functioning properly, they can pose significant risks to ecosystem and human health. This month’s watershed protection tip addresses septic tank maintenance.

Improperly treated waste from malfunctioning septic tanks can potentially leach waste into groundwater which can contaminate nearby wells and surface waters. This leaching poses significant risks to human and aquatic health. Though a malfunctioning septic system can cause significant damage to human and environmental health, proper design of new systems and regular maintenance of existing systems will ensure that homeowners avoid major impacts on the environment and their wallets. Signs of malfunctioning systems include pungent odors, a soggy patch in the lawn, and backed up sinks and toilets. Fixing a septic system can cost thousands of dollars, but preventative maintenance of routine inspection and pumping is a fraction of the cost. Maintain your septic system and you will be protecting yourself, your neighbors, the environment, and your wallet.

For Roswell residents, the Fulton County Board of Health handles septic system inspection and management. Any inquiries about permits, problems, or changing your sanitary system should be directed to Fulton County Board of Health at www.fultoncountyga.gov.

April: Hazards of Spring Cleaning: Household Hazardous Waste

It’s time for Spring Cleaning, time to get up, and clean up from the months of winter. This month’s watershed protection tip focuses on household hazardous waste. Many common household products and cleaners could damage the environment and endanger public water supplies if improperly used or disposed. To keep our rivers and streams, clean bring your household hazardous waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.

Here are a few of the materials accepted at the collection event:

• Paint thinner/turpentine
• Pesticides including: fertilizers, herbicides, flea and tick products, fungicides, insecticides, rodenticides
• Undiluted pool chemicals
• Household cleaners
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Propane gas cylinders
• Mercury thermometers/thermostats
• Household batteries (non-rechargeable)
• Aerosols including aerosol paint
• Automotive brake fluid/used motor oil filters (no other automotive fluids)

Visit www.roswellgov.com/HazardousWaste for more information.

May: Pesticides: Proceed with Caution for Clean Water & A Healthy Yard

If you find yourself with a pesky pest problem in your yard, do your due diligence when considering using pesticides as the solution. Pesticides, when used in excess, can be harmful to people, pets, wildlife, beneficial organisms (such as bees, butterflies, and earthworms), surface waters, and ground waters. The risk of using pesticides is the greatest when the label directions are not followed exactly as they are printed. Improper use and application of pesticides is against the law.

Learning which pesticide to use for specific applications is paramount to responsible pesticide use. Buying only the amount of pesticide that you need for an application, storing it properly, and discarding of it properly at a household hazardous waste event are important considerations to keep in mind. If there is pesticide remaining after your application, store it in sturdy, leak-free containers indoors in an area that can contain any leaks.

What are the negative effects of overusing or misusing pesticides?

• Excess pesticides seeping into the soil and into groundwater, or running off from your yard into storm drains, can pollute our water and directly hurt animals like fish and frogs. It becomes increasingly expensive to treat drinking water.
• The chemicals that get rid of pests may not just target that specific pest; it is likely a broad-spectrum pesticide that works against many different organisms, including the beneficial ones. Larger animals like birds, amphibians, and small mammals may ingest an insect exposed to pesticides and become ill.
• Pesticides are not safe for children and pets to be around or play near, as the chemicals are potent and can pose a variety of health issues from contact or accidental ingestion.

There are strategies that provide natural pest control to minimize the use of chemical products. Choose native plants when possible, as they require less maintenance, watering, and chemicals.Click here for a list of native plants good for Roswell. You can also reduce the use and impacts of pesticides by choosing the right plants, proper plant spacing, and mowing grass as high as possible to promote healthy plants and a more naturally balanced lawn. If you have to use pesticides, check the weather and make the application when no rain is in the forecast.

Learn more safety and green tips at Georgia’s Clean Water Campaign webpage on lawn and garden care.

June: Dog Waste Management

This month’s watershed protection tip is a reminder to pick-up after your pets. According to the American Veterinarian Medical Association, there are 72 million dogs in the United States. The average dog produces three quarters of a pound of waste a day. That means our pets generate 10 million tons of dog poop a year!

Pet waste can carry a wide array of pathogens and are harmful to the environment.

A single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, some of which cause diseases in humans. When runoff carries this waste into local waters it is a public health concern because of the potential diseases that can be spread through pet waste and an environmental concern because of the reduced oxygen levels that result from algal blooms caused by excess nutrient availability. Much of this can be avoided, however, by simply picking up after your pet.

Take the dog waste pledge to follow the simple idea: Rule No. 1 is Pick Up No. 2! Doing the right thing is easy! Pick up after your pet every time you take them out. It only takes a minute. Simply scoop the poop with a plastic bag and toss it in the garbage. Never toss garbage in the storm drains.

July: Clean Car Washing

Beat the heat this summer at the pool, the splash pad, the beach or the car wash. Commercial car washes are the best location to wash your vehicle. Washing your car in your yard or driveway allows soap, detergents, residue from exhaust fumes, gasoline, heavy metals from rust, and motor oil to flow directly to storm drains and into the nearest creek or stream where it can harm water quality and wildlife.

Choose a local car wash facility that can wash your car where water is drained to the sanitary system or to a water recycling unit. Commercial car washes are required to dispose of their wastewater properly. If you choose to wash your car at home, try to wash your car in an area where the water will soak into the ground instead of running into the street. Pour out dirty wash water in your lawn — not the stormdrain.

August: Eco-Friendly Pool Maintenance

Your backyard or neighborhood pool is not only the place to cool down and have fun this summer. It’s also a great to be the solution to water pollution! There are several safe practices and maintenance tips you can follow that will protect our watershed. Do your part to protect our rivers, lakes, and streams by following these tips when caring for your pool.

• Clean your pool regularly and maintain proper chlorine levels, water filtration, and circulation. In doing so, you will not have to drain your pool as often.
• Follow all label instructions precisely when using pool chemicals.
• Avoid using copper-or silver-based algaecides. They are toxic to aquatic life. Instead, control algae by regulating chlorine levels, using dye additives, or a pool cover to block sunlight.
• Store all pool maintenance chemicals indoors or in a covered area to keep out of contact with rainwater. Always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• Never drain water from your pool to your driveway, street, storm drain or drainage ditch, a river, lake or stream, or septic system.
• Consider using a professional pool maintenance company to service your pool or spa.

Learn more about responsible pool maintenance from Georgia’s Clean Water Campaign’s Pollution Prevention Tips for Pools & Spas Brochure.

September: Fertilizer Management in Your Yard

It is important to use fertilizers in your yard and garden responsibly. Follow all directions on the product label. Keep in mind the importance of not overwatering your yard and garden to reduce runoff to our waterways and storm drains. The EPA recommends the following tips when using fertilizer in your lawn and garden:

• Apply fertilizers only when necessary and at the recommended amount.
• Do NOT apply fertilizer before windy or rainy days.
• Avoid applying fertilizer close to waterways.
• Properly store unused fertilizers and properly dispose of empty containers.
• Plant a rain garden of native plants, shrubs, and trees that reduce the amount of fertilizer needed and provide a way for water to soak into the ground.

For more information, tips, and resources: What You Can Do: In Your Yard | US EPA

October: Rain Barrels

In the recent past we’ve seen the weather swing from periods of severe drought and water restrictions to intense rainfall and flooding. When there is abundant rainfall, stormwater moves quickly over roads and parking lots and causes an increase in stormwater runoff volumes and velocities. This water rushes into the streams striping away the soil on the streambanks and turns our creeks and streams into muddy waters. This degrades the aquatic ecosystems as excess amounts of sediment and pollutants enter into local streams, river, ponds, and lakes. This month’s watershed protection tip is about rain barrels and rain gardens. A rain barrel is simply a barrel connected to a building’s gutter system that captures and stores rainwater. This water can then be used to irrigate gardens and/or landscaping features. Not only do rain barrels help save residents money on their water bills, they also act as an irrigation supplement when water restrictions are in place. A rain barrel system even helps reduce stormwater runoff by intercepting rainfall during times of excess and releasing it later. While a rain barrel helps with landscaping irrigation, a rain garden is the landscaping. A rain garden is essentially a vegetated low spot to which surface runoff is diverted. Drains and gutters can be modified to direct rainwater away from storm drains and to the rain garden. Once the water reaches the garden, it infiltrates into the soil where it irrigates the plants, is filtered of sediment and cleansed of many pollutants. A variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses can be planted in these systems, but if native plants are used, the garden will be more resilient and likely to attract local wildlife. This concept is simple, but a well-designed rain garden can not only reduce runoff and pollutant transport, it can also be a property’s aesthetic gem.

November: Fats, Oils, and Grease

As the holidays approach and the menus get set, it is imperative to keep fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) out of our pipes and sewer system. When washed down your kitchen sink, F.O.G. sticks to the walls of your pipes. Over time, F.O.G. buildup can completely block your plumbing or the sewer system and lead to costly sewage backups in your home or spills into nearby rivers and streams.

F.O.G. continues to be the number one cause of sewer system blockages in the metro Atlanta region, but with your help we can prevent F.O.G. clogs, altogether. Remember, anything oil or dairy-based is consider a F.O.G., including meat greases, cooking oils (olive and coconut), dairy products (yes, ice cream and yogurt!), sauces, dressings, and marinades.

What can you do?

• Cool fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) and place them in a container and then into the trash when it is full.
• Scrape any solids into the trash.
• Wipe plates and dishes completely.

Follow the F.O.G. prevention protocol even if you have a garbage disposal. Disposals won’t eliminate F.O.G.; they merely chop it up into smaller pieces.

December: Stream Buffer Protection

The stream buffer is the protective natural area of vegetation that runs alongside the stream channel. An effective buffer begins at the top of the stream bank and extends at least 50 feet on either side of the stream. There are many benefits for the stream that the buffer offers, such as slowing high water flow, absorbing and filtering pollutants, trapping sediment, and stabilizing the streambanks. The buffer also offers benefits for the actual stream channel that include shade, habitat, and nutrition for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Property and homeowners with streams and open channels have an important responsibility regarding stream health. Often, homeowners prevent the establishment of streamside vegetation by extending their lawn to the edge of the stream bank, which allows for pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, and sediment to runoff from the property directly in the stream. Further, the roots of grass are not robust enough to protect against streambank erosion, so every time it rains, the streambank is eroded and property loss occurs.

Actively removing debris and trash from the stream is an easy way to contribute to the health of the stream that flows through your property. Many subdivisions and homeowner associations organize community clean-up events to beautify the stream by picking up litter and removing trash from the stream. Natural debris, however, such as trees and limbs, provide vital habitat for stream fauna and should not be removed in the same way that discarded tires should. Stream buffers are an often-overlooked asset to stream health, but with your help, we can maintain and improve buffer protection in our communities and promote a healthy watershed.

For more information visit Erosion and Sedimentation | Environmental Protection Division (georgia.gov).