Cumulatively, watershed residents can have the greatest beneficial impact on the health of our ponds. Steps to prevent or reduce NPS pollution can be simple and inexpensive. Preventing and reducing NPS pollution is the key to improving pond water quality. Every little bit helps!
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are activities that prevent or alleviate the effects of nonpoint source pollution. It is easier and more cost effective to prevent pollution than to restore a degraded resource. BMPs can be structural, such as planting a buffer strip, or non-structural, such as limiting the use of lawn fertilizer. Some simple and cost effective BMPs for Georgetown residents include:
Encourage Infiltration and Control Sedimentation
Minimize impervious surfaces such as driveways and parking lots to encourage infiltration.
Slow or divert stormwater runoff toward vegetated areas where water can seep into the ground.
Mulch and seed exposed soils to eliminate erosion.
Wash cars over pervious surfaces, such as lawns, not over driveways; and wash undercarriages at a commercial car wash facility.
Reduce and Eliminate Nutrients and Bacteria
Plant vegetation around driveways, along shorelines, and on slopes. The vegetation will absorb nutrients, filter out
pollutants, and trap sediment.
Keep yard waste such as grass clippings and leaves out of streams and ponds, storm drains, and off streets. Although
yard waste is natural, when it decomposes it releases high nutrient levels.
Reduce or eliminate fertilizer application; use organic, no-phosphate or slow-release fertilizer. To determine the phosphorus content in a fertilizer, look at the middle number in the formula on the package (i.e., Formula 16-4-8). Also, have your soil tested (Call the UMASS Extension Soil Testing Lab at (413) 545-2311 or download a soil test order form at http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest). You may find that you do not need to add fertilizer.
Use phosphate-free or low phosphate (less than 1%) automatic dishwashing detergents. Phosphate content in various dishwashing detergents sold in Massachusetts ranges from 0% up to 8.7% by weight. Gel detergents tend to have less phosphorus than powder detergents.
Maintain septic tanks with regular pumping and inspection at least every 3-5 years.
Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash.
Establish a vegetated buffer strip along shorelines to discourage waterfowl, such as geese, and do not feed them – the average goose will produce one pound of droppings a day!
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