Tag: stormwater runoff

Waterwise Wednesday: Plastic Rain in the Rocky Mountains

Over 90% of Rocky Mountain rainwater samples gathered for a United States Geological Survey contained microplastics, plastics less 5 mm or less. While urban samples contained more plastic, samples from remote sites indicate microplastics may be more pervasive.

Some microplastics are released as tiny particles like fibers from synthetic clothing or car tire fragments. Others fibers come from the breakdown of larger plastic items like bags and bottles. The particles migrate and have been found in the remotest parts and people on the planet.

To see the report: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2019/1048/ofr20191048.pdf…

Waterwise Wednesday: Water Harvesting

Capture and reuse rain runoff to supplement regular watering and reduce demand on the public water system with these ideas.

1. Gently mound dirt along a plant’s dripline to hold and infiltrate runoff.

2. Re-use household wastewater from dehumidifiers or air conditioning condensers for irrigation.

3. Install a rain barrel or cistern. Rain barrels can store the water until the weather turns dry and is needed.

4. Plant a rain garden – the basin will hold runoff while providing the yard with color and pollinator habitat.

Photo via gilintx via Flickr CC

Please Keep Grass Clippings Out Of Street.

It takes just as much effort to cut the grass and shoot it into your yard as it does to shoot it into the street. The difference is that it’s a GOOD THING to put it in your yard and a BAD THING to put it in the street. People notice these things.

SWMP- Minimum Control Measure #2

Stormwater Management Plan MCM #2 is Public Involvement and Participation. This correlates with the first MCM. Ideally, a person/group will use the education that occurred with the first MCM and turn that interest into a passion. Activities done in the past include volunteering opportunities for Curb Inlet Marking and Canal Cleanup.

Waterwise Wednesday: Kid Games

Need to keep the kids occupied while they’re home for break?

Try some of these water conservation games rounded up by Water, Use it Wisely.

Games