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Alabama’s unique geography and climate, with four river basins, contributes to its abundance of animals and plants. The state has more diversity than any other state east of the Mississippi River! Unfortunately, human impacts have threatened about 15 percent of these species, and Alabama has also experienced the most extinctions of any mainland U.S. state [...]

Alabama’s unique geography and climate, with four river basins, contributes to its abundance of animals and plants. The state has more diversity than any other state east of the Mississippi River! Unfortunately, human impacts have threatened about 15 percent of these species, and Alabama has also experienced the most extinctions of any mainland U.S. state [...]

In a 2006 survey of Iowa residents, nine percent of respondents believed that stormwater (rain water running into storm drains and ditches) was treated before being discharged into local rivers and streams, and 57 percent weren’t sure what happened to the water. Actually, rain water running into storm drains and ditches in most communities is [...]

It is estimated that more than 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, and that mobile phones will be thrown away at a rate of 130 million per year! Computer monitors, TVs, and other electronics that are sent to landfills contain lead, mercury, and other contaminants that can leach into groundwater [...]

It is estimated that more than 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, and that mobile phones will be thrown away at a rate of 130 million per year! Computer monitors, TVs, and other electronics that are sent to landfills contain lead, mercury, and other contaminants that can leach into groundwater [...]

It is estimated that more than 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, and that mobile phones will be thrown away at a rate of 130 million per year! Computer monitors, TVs, and other electronics that are sent to landfills contain lead, mercury, and other contaminants that can leach into groundwater [...]

In comparison to theirlarge volume, the amount of water that flows out of the Great Lakes is very small – only about one percent! This means that pollutants fed into the Lakes fromrivers and streams,shorelines, and adjacent land uses canremain in the water for long periods of time, sometimes becoming more concentrated.A drop of water [...]

In comparison to theirlarge volume, the amount of water that flows out of the Great Lakes is very small – only about one percent! This means that pollutants fed into the Lakes fromrivers and streams,shorelines, and adjacent land uses canremain in the water for long periods of time, sometimes becoming more concentrated. Lake Erie, for [...]

It is estimated that more than 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, and that mobile phones will be thrown away at a rate of 130 million per year! Computer monitors, TVs, and other electronics that are sent to landfills contain lead, mercury, and other contaminants that can leach into groundwater [...]

The New York/New Jersey Harbor watershed covers about 16,300 square miles – including eastern New York, northern New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont – and has an extremely high population density of more than 3000 people per square mile.  One of the side effects of this large population is a large amount [...]

The Massachusetts Bays watershed – which includes Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, Boston Harbor, North and South shores, Ipswich Bay, and the Charles and Merrimack Rivers – covers more than 7000 square miles and is home to over 3.8 million people!  As developed areas in the watershed grow, so does the amount of pavement, which prevents [...]

About five percent of Americans who change their own oil do not dispose of their used motor oil properly.  When used oil is dumped outside or into a storm drain, it can be carried directly to local surface waters during the next rain. The US EPA estimates that used oil dumped from just one oil [...]

Mercury is a metal found in rocks, soil, and water that is used in manufacturing processes and many consumer products, including thermometers, fluorescent lightbulbs, and batteries.  Because mercury is in a liquid state at room temperature, it can evaporate into the air, where it can be carried by rain or snow into lakes, rivers, and [...]

Most of the 18 million metric tons of salt used on U.S. roads each year are applied in the Midwest and Northeast, with six states – New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – using three quarters of the total! While salt makes our lives easier by keeping roads and sidewalks slip-free, it can [...]

Forty percent of the coastal wetlands in the lower 48 United States are located in Louisiana.  Unfortunately, the state is losing that valuable wildlife habitat and shore protection at a rate of 40 square miles a year.  At the current rate, the Louisiana coastline will move inland as much as 33 miles by 2040. Viewer [...]

Did you know that 27,000 gallons of stormwater can run off a one-acre parking lot after one inch of rainAs rain water runs over parking lots, streets, sidewalks, fields, rooftops, and other surfaces, it picks up pollutants on its way.  When this water reaches gutters and storm drains, it is transported directly to local streams, [...]

As rain water flows over streets, yards, driveways, and sidewalks, it picks up dirt, oil, pesticides, and other chemicals and carries them into storm drains, which are direct pathways to our rivers and streams!  This urban storm water runoff is responsible for impaired water quality in more than 1500 miles of streams assessed in the [...]

The Detroit River, which is about 32 miles long, runs all the way from Windmill Point Light in Lake St. Clair, to the Detroit River Light in Lake Erie.  When it rains, lawn care chemicals, pesticides, and automobile fluids from homes in the Detroit River watershed can be washed into the River, where they pollute [...]

April – considered the last month of Florida’s dry season – is a time when water conservation is particularly important.  Rising temperatures and often low humidity can stress South Florida’s water supply.  Up to 70 percent of home water use goes to outdoor use, but with a few adjustments, you can conserve water and save [...]

The average Pennsylvania resident produces about four pounds of household hazardous waste each year, and many homeowners store hazardous materials around the house – these include weed-killers, pesticides, pool treatment chemicals, salts, soaps, and others.  If these items are stored in an area where rainwater or floodwater can reach them, they can be carried into [...]