• Heating Help: Keep everyone warm and save energy at the same time by using a programmable thermostat. Homeowners can save up to 180 dollars per year by using a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce heating when it’s not needed as much – such as when you are sleeping or away from home. Learn more about programmable thermostats: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH
• A Water Efficient H2Oliday: Prepping and cleaning up after a holiday meal can use a lot of water. Save a few gallons by thawing frozen foods in the refrigerator instead of using running tap water. Scrape dirty dishes before you put them in the dishwasher rather than rinsing to save even more. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on Christmas Day, we would save more than one billion gallons of water! Learn more about saving water at home: www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html
• Septic Smarts: For the 20 percent of Americans who use septic tanks for wastewater treatment, extra guests can overwhelm the system. Remind houseguests not to use drains and toilets as trash cans. And make sure your system is properly maintained to avoid backups and overflows – not only are these costly for homeowners, but they can also contaminate well water and community drinking water supplies. Learn more about septic systems: cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/

(Sources: Energy Star Program. “Programmable Thermostats.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH;  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Winter Tips.” http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-winter.htm; Keehner, Denise M., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands Oceans and Watersheds. “Holidays can pose challenges for those with septic systems: Easy ways to keep your holidays smelling sweet.”)

Viewer Tip: Contamination of groundwater supplies can cause serious health problems and decrease the amount of available, useable drinking water.  A major source of water quality problems is improperly functioning or failing septic systems.  If you have a septic system or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield.  This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground. 

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.”Groundwater”.  Available at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/36064.html; The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)
 

Viewer Tip: Polluants that sit on the Earth’s surface can seep through the soil into groundwater aquifers when it rains.  Septic and sewage systems waste sites and applied fertilizers and pesticides can all contaminate groundwater and cause problems for humans who extract this water for drinking.  Keep in mind that anything you put on your lawn, or essentially anything that ends up on the ground, can eventually reach groundwater supplies.  If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk.

Learn more about the relationships between weather and watersheds in the COMET-NEEF course, Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment, available at www.meted.ucar.edu/bmet_training.php (free registration required).  This course counts for professional development credit under the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Program.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: EPA.  Aquatic Biodiversity: Groundwater.  Available at: epa.gov/bioindicators/aquatic/ground-r.html; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells)

Viewer Tip:  It’s estimated that more than 23 million home septic systems are in use in the U.S., and about 500,000 new systems are installed each year.  Septic systems – especially older or impaired systems - can contribute unwanted bacteria and nutrients to our groundwater supplies.  If you have a septic system, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield.  This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.  

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, http://www.nowra.org/; Montana Department of Environmental Quality. “Ground Water Awareness Week.” http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/swp/StayWellCkYourWell.htm; Montana Public Library Natural Resource Information System. “Montana’s Groundwater Resources.” http://nris.state.mt.us/WIS/mtgwres.htm)  

Viewer Tip: In New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, up to 50 percent of households treat waste with septic systems, which can contribute unwanted bacteria and nutrients to groundwater supplies. If you have a septic system, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield. This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, http://www.nowra.org/; New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. “Are Septic Systems up to Speed?” http://www.neiwpcc.org/sourcewateroutreach/swap-docs/fact_septic.pdf)

Viewer Tip: Scientists think that the disappearance of tidal marshes around Long Island Sound may be related to an increase of nutrients entering the ecosystem, such as nitrogen. Older, leaking or failing home septic systems can contribute significant amounts of nitrogen to groundwater and surface water supplies, which eventually make their way to the Sound.  Make sure your system is functioning properly by having an annual, professional check-up, and pumping-out the system regularly.  If you notice a foul smell or water pooling around your septic drainfield, have it checked right away!

(Sources: US Environmental Protection Agency. June 2007. “National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report: Northeast NEPs.” Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: Older, leaking or failing home septic systems can contribute significant amounts of nitrogen to our groundwater and surface water supplies, which eventually make their way to the Bay.  Make sure your system is functioning properly by having an annual, professional check-up, and pumping-out the system regularly.  If you notice a foul smell or water pooling around your septic drainfield, have it checked right away!

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

 (Sources: US Environmental Protection Agency. June 2007. “National Estuary Pgroam Coastal Condition Report: Northeast NEPs.” Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))  

Viewer Tip: A major source of water quality problems in Kentucky is improperly functioning or failing septic systems.  If you have a septic system, cesspool, or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield.  This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: Kentucky Division of Water: Groundwater Awareness. Available from: http://www.water.ky.gov/gw/GWB-GW_awareness.htm; The Commonwealth Water Education Project. “Sewage.” http://www.inyourwater.org/sewage.html; he National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)

Viewer Tip: Contamination of groundwater supplies can cause serious health problems and decrease the amount of available, useable drinking water.  A major source of water quality problems is improperly functioning or failing septic systems.  If you have a septic system or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield.  This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.       

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: U.S. Climate Science Program “Coastal Management: application of climate science”    http://www.climatescience.gov/workshop2005/abstracts/co-1.htm; USGS “Hydrology of Central Florida- A Primer.”        http://fl.water.usgs.gov/PDF_files/c1137_schiffer.pdf; The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater.  Instead, direct much-needed rainwater into garden areas or collect the water in a rain barrel for outdoor use.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring

(Source: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk. 

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: City of Boston, Housing Division, Septic System Inspections: http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/housing/housinginfo.asp;  New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, www.neiwpcc.org; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting our groundwater quality at risk.  If you have an older system, be sure to have it checked annually to make sure it is working properly.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: City of Indianapolis, Department of Public Works, “Septic Tank Elimination Program.” http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPW/Environment/CleanStream/Problems/septic.htm; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, cesspool, or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield.  This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: Cuyahoga County District Board of Health, “Household Sewage Disposal Program.” http://www.ccbh.net/services/environmentaldiv/housesewege.html’ The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater.  Instead, direct much-needed rainwater into garden areas or collect the water in a rain barrel for outdoor use.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you are considering buying a house or lot, obtain as much information as you can about the soil conditions and the existing septic system.  Make sure to ask about the unit’s capacity, age, and upkeep.  If you have already have a septic system, make sure that your home gutters and downspouts do not discharge near the drainage field to avoid carrying pollutants into groundwater supplies.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: Western North Carolina Tomorrow. “Nine Important Factors Before Buying a Mountain Property or Building a Mountain Home.” http://www.wnct.org/mtnhome.htm)

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk. 

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “Fragile: Handle with Care.” http://www.dnr.state.md.us/Bay/protect/home.html; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk. 
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Miami-Dade County, Office of Water. “Septic Systems.” http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/Water/septic_tanks.asp; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting our groundwater quality at risk.  This is especially important in and around Albuquerque, where our drinking water comes solely from groundwater supplies!

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: US EPA Office of Wastewater Management: Septic Systems, http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/home.cfm?program_id=70; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells)

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting our groundwater quality at risk.  If you have an older system, be sure to have it checked annually to make sure it is working properly.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension. “Septic Systems.” http://ewr.cee.vt.edu/environmental/teach/gwprimer/group03/sgwpseptic.html; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))

Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area.  If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk. 

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. “Understanding Septic Systems.” Fact Sheet, revised May 2006; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))