The answer is D. 1 gallon of oil will contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of water. 1,000,000 gallons of water can supply ~ 35 people with water for the whole year!
The answer is C. A storm sewer takes stormwater runoff from parking lots, roads, and ditches and transports it into creeks, rivers, and lakes. Whatever goes into the storm drainage system is what goes into our waterways; and remember, it is not treated. Sanitary sewers take household water and waste from toilets, sinks and showers, and transport it to a wastewater treatment facility. There, the water is treated and then discharged back into a creek, stream, river, or lake.
The answer is C. ~77 gallons. People can decrease that amount by fixing leaking faucets and toilets, turning the shower on rig when you get in compared to turning it on and waiting for a couple of minutes, and not letting the faucet run when you brush your teeth or do dishes.
The answer is C. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The answer is E. Everyone should be held responsible and everyone has a part. However, homeowners as a whole contribute to more water pollution than all industry, construction activities, and litterers combined. Local Government has increased their effort to try and not only stiffen stormwater regulations, but also educate homeowners on stormwater pollution and how they can prevent it. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know that excessive fertilizing, not picking up their pet’s waste, hosing yard waste and household chemical waste (including car wash soap) into storm drains, and many other household activities have and will continue to take a huge toll on our water resources and environment.
The answer is C. Professionals recommend that septic systems be inspected every 3 years and pumped out every 3-5 years. You mig be trying save money by not inspecting your system on a regular basis, but in the long run, it could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs or replacement. Stick to the recommended schedule and you’ll save money, keep the community safe and healthy, and protect the environment.
The answer is D. Rain Gardens use a system of filters and native plants to absorb stormwater runoff and treat it before it enters our waterways. Polluted stormwater runoff carries many different types of pollutants. Rain Gardens not only filter out these pollutants, they also prevent ponding in your yard, reduce stream bank erosion, conserve water and are easy to maintain, saving you time and money on landscaping and your water bill.
The answer is A. At least 20 feet. Any closer to a water source significantly increases the chance that our waterways could become contaminated by excessive nutrients. Excessive nutrients in our waterways can equate to big problems down stream. Fish kills are a very common result of excessive fertilizers in our waterways.
The answer is A. Yard waste is harmful to our waterways because it contains natural fertilizers like Nitrogen and Phosphorous, which can create algal blooms down-stream. Fish kills are a very common result of excessive fertilizers and organic matter in our waterways. In addition, yard waste can clog up the storm drainage system, increasing an area’s chance of flooding and water damage to properties.
The answer is C. It’s not treated and is discharged into a creek, stream, river, or lake. In other words, whatever stormwater picks up, will also go into a storm drain or ditch. Whatever goes into a storm drain or ditch, will eventually go into a creek, stream, river, or lake.