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Source Water Protection

Spreading Fertilizer
Sometimes people use more fertilizer than they need. When it rains, some of the fertilizer can get washed down the bank into a stream. Too much fertilizer in the water causes the aquatic plants to grow and reproduce more rapidly. This can cause water quality problems by depleting the amount of oxygen in the water.

Septic System
A leaky septic system can allow harmful bacteria, nitrates and viruses to pollute nearby drinking water supplies. You should have your septic system inspected at least every two years and have the tank pumped when necessary.

Underground Storage Tanks
Oil or gas leaking from an underground storage tank can get into the groundwater and pollute wells or flow into nearby streams and contaminate reservoirs. Clean up of a leaking underground storage tank can be very costly. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a program that allows homeowners to recover the costs associated with the clean-up of a leaking underground storage tank. The program covers costs of a clean-up by a DEP-licensed contractor until January 1, 2002. More information can be obtained by calling the DEP at 860-424-3370 or on-line at www.dep.state.ct.us.

Mosquito Control
Some mosquitoes can transmit diseases including West Nile Virus to humans. Several state agencies closely monitor mosquito populations and occurrences of the diseases in birds and other animals and take appropriate control actions when necessary. Spraying pesticides or pouring other hazardous materials into ponds, streams, or road drains in an effort to kill the mosquitoes is illegal. These materials can pollute the public water supply and kill fish, amphibians, and beneficial insects that naturally keep mosquito populations under control. If you have concerns that wetlands or other bodies of water in your neighborhood have high mosquito populations, report the locations to the health department in the town where you live.

Construction
Construction activities can harm nearby waters. When natural land cover is disturbed during excavation and grading operations the exposed soil can be easily washed into nearby surface waters. Make sure that you use best management practices around any construction site.

Water Conservation

Leaking Faucets
Even a small leak in a faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year. Check your faucets, including outside hose connections, for leaks. Replace worn O-rings, packing and faulty fixtures.

Leaving the Faucet Running
You can save 2 to 3 gallons of water by shutting off the water each time you shave or brush your teeth. Try filling a glass with water in order to rinse after you brush your teeth. Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse your razor when shaving.

Washing the Car
When washing your car, use a bucket of water or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle instead of letting the hose run. Or, better yet, take your car to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Short Showers
Do you take five minute showers? If no, try to take shorter showers and install a low flow showerhead. Older showerheads use from 5 to 10 gallons of water per minute. New low flow ones use from 2 to 4 gallons per minute. This can save up to 10,000 gallons of water every year.

Water the Lawn, Not the Pavement
Don't water the street, driveway, or sidewalk. Position sprinklers so that the water lands on the lawn and shrubs - not on the paved areas.