“Dump no waste” storm drain covers like this one in Woodstock, Ga., help to educate the community.By Paul Slovisky
Although the cost of sustainable energy is solidly at the forefront of “green issues” (especially with ever-rising gas prices), maintaining sources of quality drinking water for the future is a close second. Here in the Metro Atlanta area, the treatment of much of our drinking water begins in our own backyards, through an established stormwater system. The runoff from our neighborhoods flows directly from these stormwater ponds into the local creeks, streams and rivers, so this is the water we ultimately depend on for drinking water.
In many communities, curb gutters flow to a centralized detention/retention pond, which serves as the “first flush” treatment of surface water runoff. Often these stormwater ponds are long forgotten by the community, surrounded by a locked privacy fence and highly overgrown with weeds. Ensuring that the established stormwater system is maintained and functioning properly is critical to ensuring the quality of our water. As such, county and municipal governments are turning watchful eyes to the condition of local stormwater facilities, including privately owned detention and retention ponds. While you or your HOA may own the pond, your city or county can compel you to maintain it to acceptable standards.
Routine maintenance of detention ponds is critical to ensure proper function and meet standards; this includes vegetation management, removal of trash and debris, and inspection of structural and mechanical components, if any. While maintenance activities can be outsourced to Aquascape Environmental, the entire community can pitch in to “go green” through simple measures such as “No Dumping” stencils or markers on storm drains. Individual home or property owners can also help ensure the quality of our future drinking water by using green landscaping practices (there are lots of great suggestions here: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/owners.htm).
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(A version of this article appeared in Georgia Commons, a publication of the Community Association Institute’s Georgia Chapter.)
