Tag: clean water

Keeping Your Lake Safe From Harmful Chemicals

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

When living on a lake, it is crucial to make sure you do your part to keep the water clean. Within this article, you will learn of some easy ways to keep the lake clean and the wildlife healthy and happy.

Run-off lake drainageKeep Pollution From the Drains

Unfortunately, many storm drains lead to the lakes and the streams. It is important to remove any waste away from the storm drains to it does not end up in the water. Some items that end up in storm drains are:

  • Oil
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Cleaning Chemicals

In order to make this happen, there are tasks you can perform. When it comes to leaves or fertilizer, sweep it back into your yard and bag it up instead of letting it wash away from your driveway. If you have any chemicals that need to be dumped, do so in a responsible manner.

Fertilize with Care

Improper fertilization will harm the water. When you fertilize improperly, it will end up in the storm drain. It will then lead to the water and use up the air that the wild life needs to thrive under the water.

Do not leave fertilizer on paved surfaces, do not apply it to frozen land, and do not use the wrong type. Also make sure you do not over fertilize.

Dispose of Chemicals Correctly

Chemicals and household products can end up in the storm drains. Keep them out of the lakes and streams by taking them to the local hazardous waste center or wait for a collection day. Chemicals that are harmful include:

  • Household Cleaners
  • Gasoline
  • Antifreeze
  • Pesticides
  • Solvents
  • Paints
  • Motor Oil

There are many places that will take these chemicals from you so that it does not harm the environment. It is your responsibility to get rid of them should you need to.

Maintain Your Boat Engine

Make sure that your boat engine is operating properly and not leaking. While even brand new engines leave behind some pollution, old and improperly serviced motors can really dump a lot of harmful pollutants into the water.

It is up to everyone near the lake to keep it clean. Even if you live near by, the storm drains can still be connected. Follow these tips to keep the lakes and water free of debris and dangerous chemicals or bacteria. We can all do our parts to keep each other healthy and safe.

Tips for Keeping Your Lake Pollution Free

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Relaxation at lakeFor those who currently own property on the lake, you probably  know the importance of keeping it clean and pollution free.

Not only does keeping it clean help maintain a balanced eco-system, but it also adds beauty to your neighborhood and your home.

In addition, it also keeps the nearby surroundings fresh and free of bad odor. These can occur due to dead fish or algae growth. To help make sure your lake stays as clean as possible, just follow these easy tips for keeping your lake pollution free!

Maintain Your Boat Engine

Much of the pollution which is spread into lakes is caused by boats which are extremely dirty or do not have proper engine maintenance. Oil leaks from boats are one of the most common causes of pollution in lakes. Make sure to maintain your boat engine and wash your boat regularly to ensure it is contamination-free and does not harbor creatures from other bodies of water.

Make sure to travel at low speeds where marked, as big waves erode shorelines. Also, when it comes time to replace your boat motor, opt for a 4-cycle engine rather than a 2-cycle one. With a 4-cycle engine, your boat will cause less air pollution and lose less gasoline in the water.

Have a Lake-Friendly Landscape

When possible, it is usually a good idea to plant a buffer strip of native plants along the waters edge. This can vary from lake to lake, and it is important to familiarize yourself with shoreline management laws and regulations for your lake before you take any action. A lake specialist real estate agent should be able to help you with this if you have any questions.

One of the best ways of preventing contaminants from entering lakes is by promoting lake-friendly landscaping. This can include planting flowers, destroying invasive plants near the lake, installing permeable walkways, and managing your storm water runoff. Also, make sure to avoid using pesticides and fertilizers in your lawn near the shore. These are all some effective, yet simple, ways you can use your landscape to keep your lake pristine and pollution free.

Clean up Immediately

Lake trash clean upAlways clean up trash immediately. Though it may be obvious to most, avoid throwing any type of trash or litter into the water. Another tip is to always keep a garbage bag in your boat. This can be used for trash you create, as well as an easy outlet to dispose of any trash you may encounter while out boating.

Secure Your Belongings

Whether on your boat or on your dock make sure that your belongings are secured. At high speeds it is very easy for items to get blown out of the boat and fall into the water. This can also happen on your dock. Lakes can experience very high winds and items can easily end up in the water. Many items, such as floats, paddles, chairs, etc should either be secured to the dock or brought into the house when not in use.

Volunteer for Lake Clean-Up days

Volunteer Most lakes have organizations that strive to keep the waters and shorelines clean. These organizations will often have scheduled clean-up days in which people get together and volunteer their time to clean up the lake. Find out if there are institutions like this in your area and contact them to find out more ways you can help.

When it comes to owning lake property, helping to maintain your lake is beneficial for you and everyone around you. Clean water means better fishing, more enjoyable swimming, better views, and in the long run better house prices!