Celebrate National Water Quality Month

Did you know August is National Water Quality Month?  In the Midwest, rivers, streams and lakes are treasured resources that play an important year-round role.  Not only are these amenities used recreationally, but they are a key source of our water that we use. However through overuse, neglect and pollutants, these water resources are at risk.  You can help raise the awareness of our valued water resources by observing National Water Quality Month and the importance of keeping our rivers, streams and lakes clean.  Here are some ways you can honor water quality:  

• Gather friends and family and volunteer to clean a local stream.
• Wash your car on the lawn.  Many soaps and detergents contain phosphorous that are beneficial to your lawn but harmful to the water resources such as streams.
• Clean up after Fido.  Pet waste contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which can contaminate waterways.  
• Install a rain barrel to capture runoff and reuse this water in your landscaping.