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March 2010
As we progress through the design phase of stormwater planning in our community, each property owner will play an important role. You can get ahead of the curve by spending time understanding the land on your property and how water infiltrates into the ground or runs off your property. What happens when it drizzles? Does all the rain soak into the ground? When does the rain begin to run off? Where does it run off first? From your driveway? Roof? Is there a noticeable area on your property where the water pools? Do you have compacted soils that might be “rehabilitated” by breaking up the compaction so that water infiltrates more easily? Can you build a rain garden on your property? Can you place a rain barrel to catch the runoff from your roof? Can you plant trees or shrubs to intercept the rain? These are questions to ponder as we ask everyone to do their part in “catching the rain.”
February 2010
A news release from the EPA on January 8, 2010 warns that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Since we all have our windows and doors closed during the recent cold spell, now is a great time to have your home tested. While you can hire a certified professional radon tester, you can also buy a radon testing kit at your local hardware store for about $25. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/radon. Reference: Sustainable Environments; February, 2010; FX Browne, Inc.
January 2010
Painting your home? Please protect the environment while painting! Paints, stains and varnishes can add value to your home, brighten a room, or change the look of a piece of furniture. However, be aware of the harm that you may do during use and disposal of these products. These paint products may cause health problems, or pollute the groundwater or the air. Only buy what you need, measuring the space to paint. Buy the correct product for the job. Use it all, or donate what you don’t use. If you keep it, store it properly. Latex paint is not hazardous and can be disposed of with regular household waste. However, oil-based paint products are hazardous and should be treated a household hazardous waste. Paint thinners, turpentine, and mineral spirits can be recycled by settling out the solids. Pour the liquid into a clean container. Mix the solids with cat litter, sawdust, or shredded newspaper; allow the residue to dry; then dispose with the regular household waste.
December 2009
Have you inventoried the chemicals in your home and stored on your property? Consider ways to reduce your use of chemicals, such as no fertilizer or pesticide on your lawn. Perhaps you can use disinfectant wipes instead of the liquid spray? Certainly, don’t flush old medicines down the toilet or the drain. I have returned unused prescriptions to the pharmacy. Out-of-date over-the-counter medicines should be disposed of in the garbage for transport to a landfill.
November 2009
Hemlock Farms now has an approved Source Water Protection Plan. One potential source of contamination is our septic systems. Each homeowner must take the responsibility to inspect and maintain their septic system. If it is broken, fix it. Use the form on this page. Post it somewhere visible in your home as a reminder that your septic system requires your care to keep our drinking water clean.
October 2009
Trees and forests play important roles in healthy watersheds. Trees and forests help to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have recognized the important role that of trees and forests in managing stormwater, flooding, and water quality with formalized Best Management Practices (BMP) that preserve and utilize natural systems, such as protecting/preserving riparian areas; minimize soil compaction and impervious surfaces; re-vegetate and re-forest disturbed areas with native species; rain gardens; rain barrels; green roofs; vegetated swales; riparian restoration. The contractor for the HFCA Stormwater RFP will incorporate these BMP’s into our stormwater design.
September 2009
The rainy weather has created moist conditions for the growth of mold and moss on your property structures. Choose your control efforts carefully. Pouring bleach straight from the bottle onto your lakefront sloping driveway is not a carefully chosen control effort. The chlorine pollutes the lake and groundwater and the chlorine evaporates and pollutes the air. Air and water pollution is harmful to people and wildlife. Perhaps a stiff broom and some sand would be just as effective.
August 2009
Know your septic and keep it clean and dry [how do you keep your septic dry? dehydrated poop and no pee?]. One of the most abundant contributors to water quality degradation in our community is failing septic tanks or drainage fields. You can do your part to keep our water clean by understanding how an on-lot septic system works, being careful about what chemicals you place into your septic system, and monitoring the amount of water that flows into your system - from inside your house and from the rain and runoff.
July 2009
A 5% reduction in water distribution system leakage would save 270 MGD of water and 313 million kWh of electricity annually, equal to the electricity use of over 31,000 homes. In addition, approximately 225,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions could be avoided. Stopping water leaks on your property saves water, conserves energy, reduces greenhouse gas into our atmosphere, and saves you money!
June 2009
Be extra careful of vendors selling “super bacteria” for your on-lot sewage disposal systems. A properly maintained system will function properly without the need for additives. In fact, additives may be harmful. Ask specific questions of these vendors. For example, fermenting bacteria may liquefy the sewage solids, but what happens to the liquefied sewage? Out to the drain field? The drain field is not built to handle liquefied sewage, and may damage the field and clog the pipes.
May 2009
The Lake Watch Team will soon begin collecting samples and data to monitor lake conditions and water quality of our lakes. Ecological Solutions has begun monitoring and treating our lakes and ponds for excessive weed and algae growth. Please do your part to keep the water clean. Lakefront property owners must have a 30-foot wide natural vegetative buffer along the entire length of their shoreline (except for a five-foot path and a dock), and boaters need to take precautions to prevent contaminants from entering our waters.
April 2009
Can you identify Japanese barberry? It is a dense deciduous shrub with small oval leaves, thorns, and egg-shaped shiny red berries. Barberry has been planted as an ornamental landscape plant for many years. The seed is eaten by small mammals and birds and spreads by the movement of these animals and by root growth. It is an aggressive invasive plant that can dominate open woods, roadsides, wetlands and marshes to the exclusion of native plants. HFCA has an active monitor and control program to reduce the threat of this plant to our natural ecosystems. You may see a sprout of this plant in your backyard. Fortunately, a small shrub or sprout of the barberry is easily removed, especially when the soil thaws and rains soften the dirt. Simply pull the plant out of the ground, preferably before it goes to seed. Let it dry and die, then bag it and dispose in the garbage.
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