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SUGGESTIONS ARE APPRECIATED
If you have any recommendations on improving our service or this site, please don't hesitate in contacting us. E-mail or call (636) 949-7415.
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Water Quality in St. Charles County
Pure water is essential for all life on earth. Earth is 70% water, as are our bodies.
Here's How You Can Help Keep Our Water Clean:
- Prevent erosion (sediment is the #1 stream pollutant)
- Landscape with native plants to minimize fertilizers and pesticides
- Report any suspicious activity to
(636) 949-7415
- Properly dispose of waste & pick up litter that usually ends up in streams
- Protect wetlands, which buffer against pollution, erosion, and flooding.
Drinking Water
The majority of St. Charles County residents have public water, which comes from alluvial wells near the Missouri or Mississippi River. Some households have their own private wells, which use groundwater aquifers. Either way, each of us plays an important role in conserving and protecting our local water supply.
Streams & Watersheds
Everyone lives in a watershed, the land that drains into a stream, creek, river, or ocean. Watersheds come in different sizes and shapes. Within each watershed, all water runs to the lowest point—a stream, river, or lake. Water travels over the surface across farms, streets, and suburban lawns, or it seeps into the soil and travels as groundwater. Large watersheds like ones for the Mississippi River and Missouri River are made up of many smaller watersheds such as the Dardenne, Femme Osage, and Big Creek.
Protect Water Resources
- Never litter or pour chemicals on the ground or in sewers- This leads straight to our streams and lakes without being cleaned.
- Landscape wisely. Select plants that don’t need extra water, fertilizer, or pesticides. Over-watering can leach fertilizers into ground water. For ideas, visit Grow Native!
- Form a Stream Team. Know what’s in the water by testing it!
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It's easy to be stream friendly! Below are common stormwater pollution pullutants and easy ways YOU can help to correct them!
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PROBLEM
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EFFECT ON WATER QUALITY
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EASY SOLUTIONS
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Lawn Care Products
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- Fertilizer accelerates growth of aquatic plant life, which robs waterways of oxygen when they decay.
- Pesticides and herbacides create adverse effects on fish and water bugs, a vital component of the aquatic food chain.
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- Don't apply lawn chemicals just before ir rains. Follow instructions on the label carefully to prevent over-application.
- Target your use of pesticides, herbicides & fertilizer; sweep up excess if it's in solid form.
- Use native vegitation and grasses that don't require as much fertilizer and water! Visit Grow Native!
- Bring your old chemicals to a FREE chemical collection!
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Cleaning Products
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- Cleaning products (including those you might use to wash your car) are toxic to fish, stimulate algea and plant growth, and updet the ecosystem by impacting animal life.
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- Use a commercial car wash, or wash your car on the lawn with a biodegradable soap.
- Learn what's hazardous and buy non-toxic products in the future.
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Yard Waste
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- Grass clippings, leaves and flowers clog storm drains, cause erosion along streambanks, and robs streams of oxygen as they decay.
- DIrt, dust and sand bury fish food and cloud the water, affecting the ability of fish to feed.
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- Mulch or compost your yard clippings.
- Sweep dirt onto the lawn.
- Place debris in the trash.
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Pet Waste
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- Pet waste releases bacteria, diseases and viruses into streams where our children play.
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- Pick-up pet waste. Flush it down the toilet or bag it and place in the trash.
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Paint and Automotive fluids
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- Dyes and paints can interfere with the ability of fish to breathe, plants to grow, and water bugs to reproduce.
- Antifreeze is poisonous to plants and animals, and seriously depletes oxygen in the water.
- Paint, dirt, dust and dyes can damage fish gills, as well as reduce growth and reproduction of fish and other aquatic organisms. .
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- Never pour these down a storm drain or into a gutter!
- Rinse water-based paint brushes (e.g. latex only) in the sink.
- DIspose of dry and/or empty oil-based and water-based paint containers and brushes in the garbage .
- Bring oil, antifreeze and other aytu fluids to Recycle Works anytime for proper disposal .
- Bring excess fertilizer, pesticides, paint and other chemicals to a FREE chemical collection!
- Keep cars and gas-powered lawn mowers or blowers well tuned, so they are not dripping toxic fluids or emitting toxic fumes..
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Remember...
When It Rains, It Drains!
Stormwater
Stormwater is generated by water runoff from land and impervious areas (streets, lawns, farms, parking lots, rooftops, construction sites, etc.). Stormwater pollution is caused by our daily activities. Rain and snowmelt run off and pick up oil, fertilizers, pesticides, dirt, and other pollutants on the way to our creeks, rivers, and lakes. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution, which can make it unsafe for drinking, fishing, or swimming.
Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution – By practicing healthy household habits, you can keep common pollutants like pesticides, pet waste, grass clippings, and automotive fluids off the ground and out of stormwater. Adopt these healthy household habits and help protect lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and coastal waters. Remember to share the habits with your neighbors! EPA 833-B-03-003
Water Efficient Landscaping – This booklet describes the benefits of water-efficient, low-impact landscaping. It includes examples of successful projects, programs, and contacts. EPA 832-F-02-002
Stormwater Regulation
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants into U.S. waters. In 1987, the NPDES Phase I [http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/swphases.cfm] was introduced to address stormwater runoff sources with the greatest potential to negatively impact water quality:
- Medium and large municipal separate storm sewer systems located in incorporated places or counties with populations of 100,000 or more; and
- Eleven categories of industrial activity, including construction activity disturbing five or more acres.
In 1999, NPDES Phase I expanded permit coverage including stormwater discharges from:
- Certain regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems; and
- Construction activity disturbing between 1 and 5 acres of land.
This includes areas of St. Charles County, Cottleville, Lake St. Louis, O'Fallon, St. Charles City, St. Peters, and Wentzville. Find out how you can help reduce stormwater pollution!
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