by Leah Thill
But first, what is a watershed?
A watershed is the area that drains into a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, aquifer, or even the ocean. Small watershed are part of larger watersheds, which in turn are part of even larger watersheds. Storm drains in Wilkinsburgh flow into and are part of the Nine Mile Run watershed, which is within the Monongahela watershed, which contributes to the Ohio River watershed, on to the Mississippi, and eventually the ocean! Learn more and find your watershed(s).
- Reduce your water consumption. Why? To reduce the strain on our overburdened sewage system and water treatment facilities. Not convinced? You'll save money on your water bill too!
- Install low-flow shower heads, convert your toilets to low-flush, repair leaking toilets and faucets, and use soaker hoses to water your lawn instead of sprinklers.
- Additional ways to reduce your water footprint.
- Minimize storm runoff, which overwhelms the sewer system and contributes to sewage overflow into our watershed.
- Harvest rain water from your roof in rain barrels. Use them to water your garden, instead of using treated, chlorinated tap water. Your plants will thank you for it! StormWorks provides rain barrels and installation services.
- Alternatively, install a rain garden to allow slow water infiltration. Check out a map of rain gardens in the region.
- Dispose of chemicals properly to keep them out of our rivers and streams. Never pour chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil or paint into the drain or toilets. Check out PA Resources Council's upcoming Household Chemical Collections.
- Many auto part stores will collect and recycle used motor oil, transmission fluid, etc for FREE. Call ahead of time to make sure.
- Latex paint can be safely disposed of in the trash, if mixed with kitty litter and allowed to dry. However, oil-based paint must be taken to a hazardous waste collection.
- Dispose of pet waste properly.
- Pet waste contains nutrients and pathogens that can contaminate surface water. Scoop up waste from your yard and flush it down the toilet or when you're on a walk, seal the waste in a plastic bag and throw it in the garbage.
- Want to reduce your use of plastic doggie bags and your landfill footprint? Construct a pet waste compost bin! The USDA provides details on how to safely compost pet waste.
- Keep trash on land out of our watershed. Dispose of ALL waste properly and clean up litter. Litter and cigarettes make their way by the thousands from city streets, to storm drains, and out into the water. Many streams and riverbanks are also clogged with tires, appliances, furniture, and household trash that have been illegally dumped. Plastics and toxic materials pose a hazard to aquatic life and reproduction.
- Learn how and where to recycle almost anything! http://search.earth911.com/
- Familiarize yourself with electronics recycling options.
- Learn the refuse disposal guidelines in Pittsburgh, or contact your municipality.
- Pittsburgh will pick up 2 bulk items from the curb each week!
- Get Outside. It's difficult to preserve and protect what we don't know or appreciate. Take others with you, especially children.
- Explore a local stream or enjoy the riverfronts from the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
- Rent a kayak and experience the rivers from a new perspective and pace.
- Get involved and scale up your efforts! Volunteer, educate others, and advocate for positive change.
- Participate in waterway cleanups with the Tireless Project.
- Learn about the Clean Rivers Campaign.
- Connect with your local watershed association or restoration efforts.
- Support environmental legislation at all levels.
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