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Poor Water Quality Found in State Streams
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
(TDEC) has estimated that about 30 percent of the state's streams are of
such poor water quality that they cannot support a healthy population
of fish and other aquatic wildlife, and almost 40 percent are not fit
for human recreation. That means that many of our streams
are not fit for our children to play in and that we can no longer catch
the fish that our grandparents did. It also translates into higher
utility bills, with more resources going towards water treatment.
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Urban Pollutants Wash into Streams
Urban development typically brings a series of changes
to a natural area that overwhelms a stream with a host of problems, such
as the:
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Tennessee's Changing Landscape
From 1992 - 1997, 68 acres of farmland were lost to
urbanization EVERY day. During this same time period, Tennessee ranked
seventh in the nation of total acres of land developed.
According to the 2000 Census, Tennessee's population was more than 5,689,000, a 14 percent increase from the 1990 Census. |
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Nonpoint Source Pollutants Originate from Residential Areas
Pollutants originating from no single source
of discharge are called nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants and currently
pose the greatest challenge to improving the health of Tennessee
streams.
Nutrient runoff is, in part, from mismanaged
fertilizer applications to lawns and the use of soaps that contain
phosphates (washing the car, e.g.). When used on impervious surfaces,
these chemicals result in nutrient-enriched runoff.
Sources of sediment input into streams is
from bare spots on the lawn, exposed soils in gardens, eroded ditch
lines and areas around the home that are under construction.
Toxic chemical sources include pesticides
that have been misapplied or inappropriately stored outside. Household
cleaning supplies that have been stored outdoors in open or leaking
containers are also a souce of pollution. Another source of urban toxins
are leaky cars parked on driveways or spilled car fluids.
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How NPS Pollutants Impact Aquatic Wildlife
Pollutants affect aquatic wildlife in a variety of harmful ways:
- Nutrients include nitrogen and
phosphorus that act on algae in streams the same way they act on grass
and garden plants, by increasing the growth rate and size. However, the
decomposition process of large amounts of algae robs the water of
oxygen, consequently smothering fish and other aquatic animals.
- Sediment clogs fish gills, fills up aquatic habitat, including the
cracks and crevices between streambed rocks where aquatic insect larvae
reside. It also decreases the ability for fish to see for both mating
and foraging purposes. In addition, sediment darkens our waters,
resulting in increased heat absorption and escalating waterbody
temperatures (just like when you wear a dark t-shirt versus a white
one). It also causes flooding by reducing capacity channels.
- Toxins can play havoc with aquatic animals' reproductive and nervous
systems, among other effects. Birth defects and skin diseases are more
common in fish inhabiting contaminated waters.
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Pollutants Are Everyone's Responsibility
A recent study in the Beaver Creek Watershed in Knox County,
Tennessee indicated that up to 40 percent of sediment entering Beaver
Creek may be coming from residential areas.
Other studies indicate that residential areas also are contributing a
relatively greater proportion of NPS pollutants to our waterways than
in the past. In part, this is because there are simply more subdivisions
in closer proximities, with more roads, more cars, and more lawn
chemicals.
Because we are all, in some way, contributing to the problem of NPS
polllution, the only way to stop the pollution is for all of us to take
responsibilbity for our actions and adopt cleaner, greener methods of
urban living. By each of us changing a few practices on the homefront we
can together start to turn the tide so that our communities can
continue to grow, but in a smarter, more sustainable way where
conservation and development coexist.
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Tennessee Smart Yards Gives You the Information You Need to Make a Difference
The Tennessee Yards & Neighborhoods program encourages homeowners
to be part of the solution to Tennessee's water quality problems by
adopting environmentally sound landscaping practices that are more in
line with the natural water cycle. Your yard will absorb stormwater
slowly, which, as it percolates downward, is cleansed naturally of
toxins. The types of plantings you select will better endure the heat
and dry spells and require less irrigation. In essence, you will:
- Reduce the need for pesticides in your landscape
- Conserve and protect water resources
- Recycle and reduce organic wastes going to the landfill
- Save energy
Want to see how your yard measures up to a Yard Done Right? Check out The Tennessee Yardstick Workbook.
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