Clean Water Blog

In March 2008 the Associated Press reported that pharmaceuticals were detected in drinking water in 24 major metropolitan areas. Some of these pharmaceuticals are being introduced from people disposing of unused pharmaceuticals by pouring them down a drain or flushing down a toilet. Flushing and rinsing are currently the easiest and cheapest ways to get rid of unused pharmaceuticals.

A bill is now in the MN Legislature concerning safe disposal of unused pharmaceuticals. This is a “product stewardship program” – the drug manufacturers would be required to provide and finance a program to collect and dispose of the drugs at a hazardous waste facility.

If you think this is an important step in protecting our drinking water, please contact your congressman and voice your support for the.Minnesota Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2010.

HF1217 is a link to the language of the bill, tracking of the progress of the bill, and a link to the members of the House and Senate.

The Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance (CMWEA) is proud to announce its 2nd annual rain barrel sale. CMWEA is offering a 60 gallon rain barrel in your choice of Forest Green, Earth Brown or Nantucket Gray for $75.00 per barrel (tax included in price). The barrels come with a detachable lid, spigot, mosquito skirt, drain plug and overflow valve.

CMWEA will be accepting orders until May 13th, 2010 with a distribution date on June 5th, 2010. Please refer to our website at www.mnwaterconnection.com for additional information or call Carrie at (320)251-7800 x 153.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting its second annual WaterSense “Fix a Leak Week”  (www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak), March 15 to 21, 2010, as a time to remind Americans to roll up their sleeves and save water.

Minor leaks from household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes — enough to supply Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami with their water needs for a year. EPA created this week-long annual event to give its WaterSense utility, community, manufacturer, retail, and professional partners a call to action to encourage saving water.

WaterSense is encouraging homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and plumbing professionals to help find and fix leaks by promoting the following tips:

- Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.

- Replace worn rubber flappers, which can cause silent leaks in toilets.

- For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

- Check landscape irrigation systems each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.

- Remember to look for the WaterSense label if you have to replace a bathroom fixture.

To learn more about Fix a Leak Week or to become a WaterSense partner, please visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Community Clean-Ups for Water Quality Program Information & Training Session

March 9, 20109:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Stearns County Public Works Department

Waite Park, MN 

As a recognized water resource organization we hope you will join the Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance, Freshwater Society and the Friends of the Minnesota Valley for an information and training session on the Community Clean-Ups for Water Quality Program. This signature project of 2010 – The Year of Water is a unique phosphorus reduction project with measurable results for water quality improvement. The focus of this program is on stormwater education and pollution prevention. At the training, we will be distributing a community toolkit with detailed information on how to hold a Clean-Up for Water Quality. We are also in the process of creating a DVD that will provide information on the importance of protecting water quality, the direct link between our streets and our lakes and rivers, and how to hold a clean-up.

Registration is free and free materials will be distributed at the training session.

For more information or to register, contact Cherie Wagner at cwagner@freshwater.org or 763-219-1252 by March 5. We look forward to seeing you there!

There will be a FREE gardening knowledge workshop at Whitney Senior Center on Saturday, February 20, 2010. This event will include a rain barrel building session. You can preregister by calling the Stearns County Extension at 320-255-6169. There will be three one hour sessions to follow taught by Stearns County Master Gardeners. Registration is limited to 70 participants.