You can see it every time it rains, or in the spring when the snow melts water dribbling off roofs, trickling across parking lots and flowing down gutters. In urban areas, most water from rain and snowmelt flows into a vast network of storm sewers which dump into our local rivers, streams and wetlands.
Water from rain and snowmelt becomes polluted runoff when it picks up substances such as pesticides, motor oil, grass clippings and pet waste as it makes its way into storm sewers.
Water that goes into Twin Cities storm sewers is not treated everything left in or near the street or on lawns is washed directly into our local waterways. Since the entire metro area is in the Mississippi River's drainage basin, or watershed, all storm sewers either drain directly into the Mississippi, or flow into streams and wetlands that eventually drain into the Mississippi.
The plant and animal life sustained by the Mississippi is put in danger when pollutants and excess organic matter upset the delicate balance of the river ecosystem. The fact that the Mississippi supplies the Twin Cities and communities down stream with drinking water is another reason to prevent pollution of the river. The solution: education and public involvement
Many people don't realize that when they wash their car in their driveway, rake their leaves into the street, spill motor oil or antifreeze, or spray pesticides on their lawns they are polluting Minnesota waterways. Making the connection between our behavior and the health of the environment is a key to preventing polluted runoff from contaminating our watersheds.
Businesses and city officials must also do their part by making planning, landscaping and building decisions that prevent runoff pollution. Here education is also important, and citizens can play a role in making watershed protection a primary factor in community-wide decision making. CBE takes action
As part of our Community Environmental Technical Assistance Project (CETAP), CBE is working to stop polluted runoff by encouraging neighborhood watershed protection. Our watershed protection initiative is designed to provide the public education, technical expertise and community organizing needed to help core city neighborhoods decrease polluted runoff and enhance environmental quality. Teaming up with local neighborhoods and Minneapolis and St. Paul city officials, CBE is working to increase awareness of runoff pollution, and establish long-term planning that will benefit the environment as well as the economy. Current target areas include Minneapolis' Bridal Veil and Bassett's Creek watersheds as well as St. Paul's Dayton's Bluff and West Side neighborhoods. Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Works Departments and CBE's environmental engineer are providing technical assistance to target neighborhoods. CBE is also conducting a broad public education campaign on how to prevent polluted runoff. Watershed protection goals
In addition to cutting runoff pollution by increasing public awareness, CBE is helping to improve our urban environment by restoring local creeks and increasing wetland areas. Restoring urban creeks
Around the Twin Cities there are many polluted creeks, some of which disappear into culverts and travel underground where they are lost as a resource for the surrounding community. CBE is helping to clean up contaminated creeks. We are also investigating the possibility of bringing several culverted creeks above ground to provide neighborhoods with a natural amenity that encourages more diverse plant and animal life. Improving the environmental quality of land around existing creeks is also important. If creek banks are eroding, sediment is washed into the water and interferes with plant and animal habitat. Use of pesticides and herbicides near waterways sends poisons directly into our watersheds, and excessive mowing keeps grasses from filtering pollutants. CBE is providing the technical assistance needed to make sure the land near creeks is treated in a manner that protects rather than harms watershed quality. Increasing wetlands
Wetlands play a key role in keeping watersheds clean. The plants and soil in wetlands help filter pollutants out of rain water or snow melt before they go into rivers and lakes. Parking lots, roads and other hard surfaces add to watershed pollution. When the ground is covered by impenetrable surfaces water has no where to go it simply slides along picking up pollutants as it makes its way into a storm sewer. CBE is working with neighborhood decision-makers to promote planning and development that preserve and restore wetlands. What you can do
You have the opportunity to be a watershed protection advocate! Be aware of the zoning, landscaping and planning decisions being made in your community and work to get involved. Making sure your day-to-day activities do not cause water pollution is another way to help. Consider the following tips: Keep streets and gutters clean
Do not leave grass clippings, leaves or natural fertilizer in or near the street. As these organic materials decay, they release oxygen-consuming materials, phosphorous and nitrogen which can kill fish and lead to excessive weed and algae growth. Avoid pesticides and herbicides The same toxic chemicals that kill unwanted pests and weeds in your yard harm fish and endanger human health when washed into our waterways. There are a number of chemical-free lawn services in the state. There are also books and other reference materials on ways to have an attractive lawn without using chemicals. Clean up after your pet
Decaying pet wastes carry disease-causing bacteria which make water unsafe for swimming and drinking. Never leave pet waste in the street, on lawns or sidewalks throw it in the trash, flush it down the toilet or bury it. Use and dispose of toxic products with extreme caution
Antifreeze, oil and gasoline contain lead, cadmium, zinc
and hydrocarbons which wreak havoc on natural ecosystems and put humans
and animals at risk. Be careful not to spill oil or other automotive fluids
when working on your car. In Minnesota, car repair shops will take used
oil and dispose of it safely. Paints, solvents or detergents should also
be used and disposed of with care. Use environmentally-sound cleaning products
and painting supplies when possible. Contact your county officials for
information on how to dispose of toxic products. Hennepin: 612-348-6500,
Ramsey: 612-773-4488, Anoka: 612-323-6730, Carver: 612-361-1800/ 1-800-535-7570,
Dakota: 612-891-7011, Scott: 612-496-8177, Washington: 612-439-3220. CBE's
watershed protection work is being carried out in partnership with the
cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
CBE's Community Environmental Technical Assistance Project is funded by CBE supporters, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources and the McKnight Foundation. Jim Powell Citizens for a Better Environment Milwaukee, WI