The Art of Water Conservation

Polluted runoff has become the most common threat to water quality in the United States, surpassing pollution caused by industry. Stormwater management and water conservation are two areas where citizens can make a huge positive impact on of our freshwater resources!

There are many practical, simple things you can do to conserve water…

RAIN BARRELS

Rain barrels capture water from your roof’s downspout and store rainwater that you can use to give thirsty gardens, flowers and trees a drink during dry periods.  Rain barrels also help keep excess water out of the sewer system when it rains, preventing rain from becoming polluted stormwater runoff. 

We can all do a better job of managing the water that falls on our homes, yards, driveways and parking lots.  When rain washes across the land, it picks up pollution like gas, oil and waste along the way and gives it a ride to the nearest waterway in most cases.

Rain barrels are an incredible “hands on” demonstration for residents to appreciate the amount of water they’re conserving.  In the Port Huron area, with an average annual rainfall of 31 inches, a conservative estimate would be to harvest 3,000 gallons per barrel.  Multiply this by 400 homes, and it adds up to 1.2 million gallons of water we didn’t have to draw from the St. Clair River, and treat at the water plant.  Plus, your garden benefited from the soft rainwater instead of chlorinated tap water!

SIMPLE EVERYDAY CONSERVATION

Considering that Americans (on average) use about 65 gallons of water a day, here are some simple things you can you do to use less water…

Fix leaky plumbing (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water a day!) Take a shorter shower Turn the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving Install high efficiency plumbing ~ save up to 3.5 gallons per flush! Healthy lawn care tips

You might also want to consider doing the laundry tomorrow if there's heavy rain today ~ this will help ease pressure on your community's sewer system and avoid backups!

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT: RAIN GARDENS, TAPPING NATURE'S RAIN DRAINS

Rain gardens, quite simply, are gardens that soak up rain from your roof, driveway, sidewalk or yard. They are slightly different from your typical flower garden, planted with wild flowers and deep-rooted native vegetation, which soak up water far better than a lawn. They are typically placed near downspouts on a home to capture water, so the runoff can gradually soak into the ground.

RAIN GARDEN BENEFITS:

• They help reduce the amount of water that runs off your yard and into the sewer system, which cuts down on the risk of sewer overflows and basement backups.
• Rain gardens prevent stormwater from picking up pollution as it washes across yards,
driveways and parking lots on the way to the nearest river or lake.
• Plants, roots, soils and sand from your garden cleanse and purify stormwater as it soaks
into the ground.
• Rain gardens can help recharge drinking water supplies and aquifers.
• They add beauty to your yard and neighborhood while providing valuable wildlife habitat.

WHAT'S A WATERSHED? AM I IN ONE?

Not everyone lives next to a stream or pond ~ but we all live in a watershed. The watershed is the land area that drains into a major body of water, which in Southeast Michigan could be Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, or Lake Erie.

The Northeastern Watersheds (NEW) Management Plan

Northern St. Clair County residents live within the boundaries of The Northeastern Watersheds (NEW).

The NEW encompasses the townships of Burtchville, Clyde, East China, Fort Gratiot, Kimball, Port Huron, St. Clair, Grant, Brockway, Greenwood and Kenockee, as well as the following cities: Marine City, City of Marysville, City of Port Huron, City of St. Clair, and the City of Yale.

For an overview of this watershed go to: http://www.cis.stclaircounty.org/planning8451424.asp
For a look at the Northeastern Watersheds Management Plan itself, go to: http://www.cis.stclaircounty.org/planning7156162.asp

Anchor Bay Watershed

Southern St. Clair County residents live within the boundaries of the Anchor Bay Watershed, which encompasses 171 square miles (443 km2), including the Delta Islands (Harsens and Dickinson Islands) in Macomb and St. Clair Counties.

In St. Clair County, the Anchor Bay Watershed includes all or part of the City of Algonac, and the townships of Casco, China, Clay, Cottrellville, and Ira.
In Macomb County, the Anchor Bay Watershed includes all of New Baltimore and parts of Chesterfield, Clinton, Harrison, Lenox, and Macomb Townships, the Village of New Haven, City of Richmond, Richmond Township and the City of Mt. Clemens.

Major tributary streams within the Anchor Bay watershed include Auvase Creek, Beaubien Creek, Crapau Creek, Marsac Creek, Swan Creek, the Marine City Drain, and the Salt River.

For more information on the Anchor Bay watershed, go to: http://www.cis.stclaircounty.org/abaywatershed_2.asp

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
This link ( http://www.semcog.org/WatershedGroups.aspx ) from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) provides information on watersheds from the northern end of St. Clair County all the way down to the southern end of the Detroit River where it spills into Lake Erie.

Watersheds as Ecosystems
If you're interested in how a watershed works as an ecosystem in more detail, you'll enjoy this link: http://www.ecostudies.org/images/education/sweap/.%5CREADINGS.pdf