Home Practices to Promote Water Quality
Source: Edwin Remsberg - USDA, CSREES
There are four major watersheds in the Mid-Atlantic: the Ohio River basin draining to the Gulf of Mexico, the Delaware Bay, the Roanoke and Chowan River basins draining to the Ablemarle-Pamlico Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay. All of these watersheds have stream segments identified as impaired by nutrients. The nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus cause eutrophication, which results in excessive algal growth and low oxygen conditions in rivers and estuaries, often resulting in local fish kills. Nutrients can also threaten drinking water supplies, especially in rural areas with poorly protected drinking water sources.
Chemical pollution is also a problem in many of the rivers within the Mid-Atlantic region. Chemicals can come from a variety of sources, and can harm plants, animals, fish and humans in different ways. Certain kinds of chemicals can affect the reproduction, development and survival of fish and other living resources. Some chemicals can accumulate in fish and other animal tissues, and in bottom sediments in rivers and estuaries.
Developed areas and household activities can contribute both nutrients and chemical contaminants to local waterways, and ultimately to major estuaries, like the Chesapeake Bay. Nutrients and chemicals from septic systems, lawn fertilizers, household cleaners and pest treatments, and automobile exhaust can contribute to water pollution. Stormwater running off from paved surfaces like roads, driveways and parking lots funnel many of these pollutants directly to waterways.
There are a variety of choices that the average homeowner can make in order to reduce the movement of nutrients and chemical contaminants from the residential landscape to our region's waterways. The Cooperative Extension Services in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia have numerous publications and fact sheets that can help homeowners make educated decisions about nutrient, pesticide and water management in the residential environment. This document highlights some of these publications.
Landscaping for the Environment
When caring for your lawn, it is important to be informed about the environmental consequences of your actions, as well as environmentally friendly alternatives to some common practices. Minimizing surface water runoff and soil erosion, correct use and timing of fertilizer applications, and even the choice of plants and grasses in your yard or garden can substantially reduce impacts to local water quality.
Source: Edwin Remsberg - USDA, CSREES
Fertilizing Lawns (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-720: 1997)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-720/426-720.html
Lawn Fertilization in Virginia (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 430-011: 2004)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/turf/430-011/430-011.html
Lawns and the Chesapeake Bay (MD Coop. Ext. Fact Sheet 702: 2003)
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS702.pdf
Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 423-623: 2002) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-323/426-323.html
Establishing Lawns (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-718: 2001)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-718/426-718.html
Summer Lawn Management (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 430-010: 2004)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/turf/430-010/430-010.html
Erosion Control and Conservation Planting on Non-Cropland (PSU 1997) http://turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/pdf/uc150.pdf
Home Landscape Practices to Protect Water Quality (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-723: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-723/426-723.html
Groundwater Quality and the Use of Lawn and Garden Chemicals by Homeowners (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-059: 1996) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-059/426-059.html
Environmental Horticulture: Guide to Nutrient Management (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-613: 1996) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-613/426-613.html
Using Compost in Your Landscape (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-704: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-704/426-704.html
Landscapes That Help the Chesapeake Bay (MD Coop. Ext. Fact Sheet 701:1998) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS701.pdf
Soil Sampling for The Home Gardener (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 452-129: 2002) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/compost/452-129/452-129.html
Source: Edwin Remsberg – USDA, CSREES
Lawn Care Calendar (WVU Ext.)
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/turf/calendar.htm
Creating Healthy Landscapes (PA Coop. Ext.)
http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/pubs/lscpe_pubs.html
Minimum Chemical Gardening (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-366: 1996) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-366/426-366.html
Landscape Management (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 10: 1999) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-10.html
Fertilizer Basics (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 2)
http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-02.html
Home Use of Pesticides
Improper use, storage or disposal of pesticides and herbicides can lead to water quality contamination and unintentional consequences for the environment.
Source: Edwin Remsberg – USDA, CSREES
Pest Management for Water Quality (VA Coop. Ext. Pub 426-615: 1996)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-615/426-615.html
Applying Pesticides Safely (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-710: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-710/426-710.html
Storing Pesticides Safely (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-705: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-705/426-705.html
Understanding Pesticide Labels (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-707: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-707/426-707.html
Choosing Pesticides Wisely (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-706: 2001) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-706/426-706.html
Natural Pesticide Products (VA Coop. Ext. 1997) http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets3/ipm/JUN92PR3.HTML
IPM: A Common Sense Approach to Managing Pests (WV Coop. Ext. 2000)
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/homegard/ipmpests.htm
Source: Edwin Remsberg – USDA, CSREES
Read the Label First (WVU Ext.)
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/ipm/pestprog/educate/readlbl.pdf
Before You Buy a Pesticide (WVU Ext.) http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/ipm/pestprog/educate/buypestic.pdf
Pesticide Application, Equipment Calibration, and Spray Patterns (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 4: 1995) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-04.html
Pesticide Basics (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 5: 1995) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-05.html
Waste Management
There are numerous wastes generated within a typical household. Proper waste handling and disposal will reduce the likelihood of contaminating groundwater, local rivers and streams, and even local drinking water sources.
Pet Waste and Water Quality (MD Coop. Ext. Fact Sheet 703: 2003) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/PDFs/FS703.pdf
Septic Records and Maintenance Guidelines (MD Coop. Ext. MEP 321: 2002) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=507&cat=N
Septic Tank Advice (VA Water Resources Research Center) http://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/advisor/septic.htm
Yard Waste Management (VA Coop. Ext.)
http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-ln-ywm
Alternatives for Household Products: Helpful Hazardous Waste Reduction Hints (MD Coop. Ext. HW-1: 1998) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=76&cat=N
Source: Edwin Remsberg – USDA, CSREES
Household Toxics Disposal (MD Coop. Ext. HW-2: 1998) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=83&cat=N
Melting Ice Safely (MD Coop. Ext. Fact Sheet 707: 1998) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=75&cat=N
Planting on Your Septic Drain Field (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-617: 2000) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-617/426-617.html
Guide to Home Composting (PA DEP) http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/compost/Home1.htm
Septic & Sewage Disposal Fact Sheets (PA Coop. Ext.) http://www.abe.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/f/index.html
Water Conservation
While it might seem that we have plenty of water in our region, water demand for irrigation, human consumption and waste transmission has been steadily rising. Don't wait for drought to begin using water more wisely.
Landscape Design for Water Conservation (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 8: 1995)
http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-08.html
Plant Selection for Water Conservation (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 9: 1995) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-09.html
Lawn Management for Water Conservation (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 11: 1995) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-11.html
Creating a Water-Wise Landscape (VA Coop. Ext. Pub. 426-713:2004) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-713/426-713.html
Xeriscaping and Conserving Water in the Landscape (MD Coop. Ext. HG25: 2001) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic/pubs/online/hg25.pdf
Source: Edwin Remsberg – USDA, CSREES
Water Conservation in the Home (MD Coop. Ext. HW-4: 200) http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=87
Stategies for Saving Drought Plagued Lawns and Gardens (WVU Ext.) http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/homegard/vegdrout.htm
Drought and Water Conservation Publication (PA Coop. Ext.) http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/water/drought%20publications.htm
Useful Sites for Homeowners
In addition to these useful Cooperative Extension resources, many state and federal agencies also have tips for homeowners on reducing pollution from the residential environment.
Lawn and Landscape Care Companies (DE Coop. Ext. NPS Fact Sheet No. 7: 1995) http://ag.udel.edu/extension/Information/nps/nps-07.html
NPS Pollution & You
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/sw/nps.htm
Preventing Pollution at Home
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/individuals_families/default.htm
Non-Point Source Pollution Education Campaign
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/tribstrat/nps_pollution.html
Source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Online Publications From UMD Home and Garden Information Center
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/
Chesapeake Bay Program-How You Can Help the Bay
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/involved.htm
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-Environmentally Friendly Practices http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=action_simple_ways_index
Natural Resources Conservation Service
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/for_homeowners.html
EPA Do's and Don'ts Around the Home
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/dosdont.html
Backyard Conservation (USDA NRCS)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/
Bay Wise Maryland Yardstick (MD Coop. Ext., MD HGIC) http://www.hgic.umd.edu/pubs/online/bw2.qxd.pdf
Home and Garden Tips (USDA NRCS)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/homegarden/
Be sure to check out the
CSREES Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Quality Program
website for updates and additional information.
