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»Water and Sewer
Environmental Topics
OAKLAND LAND CONSERVANCY
RAIN GARDENS
Click here to learn more about Rain Gardens from the Clinton River Watershed Council.
WETLANDS
The Statewide Wetland Information for Michigan is now made available through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's website (MDEQ).
Click here to be taken to the MDEQ's website for more information.
Click here to view the Michigan Wetland Inventory Map on MDEQ's website.
PROTECT OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS!
Woody debris accumulates in streams and rivers through biological and physical processes. Accumulations of debris generally occur at specific points in a stream. Woody material can play an important role in the ecological processes of a stream by providing habitat structure and food sources for a variety of organisms. Woody debris accumulations also affect the geomorphic processes of a stream. It may impact sediment storage and routing, stream bed and bank structure, velocity distributions, and sinuosity of a stream.
Click here for more information on Large Woody Debris (LWD) Management Program.
ILLICIT DISCHARGES
WHAT ARE ILLICIT DISCHARGES?
Illicit Discharge: Any discharge (or seepage) to the separate storm water system that is not composed entirely of storm water or uncontaminated groundwater.
Illicit discharges occur when sewage or other wastewater that should be directed to a sanitary sewer system or onsite sewage treatment system (septic system) is released into a storm drain system. Illicit discharges can release large quantities of harmful bacteria and pollutants into our rivers and lakes.
Failing septic fields, direct connections between household plumbing and storm drains and spilling, dumping, and pumping are all sources of illicit discharges. identification and elimination of illicit discharges is necessary to protect our water supply and prevent water borne illnesses.
Please contact us if you observe:
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A strong sewage odor
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Discharges or dumping of pollutants into drains, ditches, ponds, lakes or rivers
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Sewage on the ground surface
Be prepared to give the following information:
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Location of complaint
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Source of pollution, if known
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Responsible party, if known
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Any other relevant observations
You may remain anonymous if you desire.
Rochester Hills Fire Department/Non-emergency
248-656-4650
PRACTICAL LAWN CARE
(The following information has been received from the Clinton River Watershed Council)
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Keep lawn clippings out of street catch basins. (Clippings are mostly water, and break down quickly to return valuable nutrients to the soil.)
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Set your mower blade to leave grass about three inches tall. (Taller grass cools the soil, needs less water and shades out weed growth. Also, your lawn will be more resistant to insects and disease.)
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Conserve water by using only what your lawn needs.
- If daily watering is impractical, 30-40 minutes of watering every other day is sufficient.
- Make sure your sprinkler is watering your lawn-not your driveway or sidewalk!
SELECTING A LAWN SERVICE/QUESTIONS TO ASK
(The following information has been received from SOCWA-Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority)
Rain and melting snow carry small amounts of oil, grease, soil debris, and other pollutants to rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Lawn fertilizer and pesticides are among the pollutants that have been found in storm water runoff.
Lawn service providers throughout Southeast Michigan are being asked to minimize fertilizers and pesticides-but chemical use reduction depends on customer interest. The following information will help local residents find lawn care services that meet their own goals-and protect water quality.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What are your goals?
Are you concerned about potential pollution from storm water runoff? Are you concerned about exposure to lawn pesticides?
- Are you interested in a "rescue operation" for your lawn to remove excessive weeds and/or to rejuvenate lawn grasses and soils-before starting a healthy lawn program?
- Are a few weeds in your lawn acceptable?
Are you will to dig a few weeds by hand?
- Are you willing to follow recommended mowing and watering practices?
Tall grass (2 1/2"-3" after cutting) is healthier and shades out many weeds. Frequent watering (daily, if possible) is the most essential factor supporting a green, healthy lawn.
- Are you willing to consider "extra" services such as core aeration or over-seeding?
Seeding may be helpful for increasing turf density and crowding out weeds.
- Are you interested in low-maintenance ground covers in shady areas as a substitute for grass?
Questions to Ask a Lawn Care Services
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Do you offer an on-site consultation.
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Do you recommend a soil test before offering a fertilizer program?
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Do you offer natural organic and/or slow-release nitrogen fertilizer options?
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Do you offer a low-phosphorus or zero-phosphorus fertilizer option?
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Do you offer reduced pesticide or zero-pesticide options?
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Do you wait until mid-April to begin fertilizer applications?
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Do you clean up granules from hard surfaces?
Questions About Landscaping Companies?
Questions about Environmental and health effects of specific chemicals?
Call National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378
TURF TIPS FOR THE HOMEOWNER
(Michigan State University Extension/Bulletin E12TURF/May 2002/www.turf.msu.edu)
Recycling Grass Clippings
- When you mow, return the grass clippings to the turf whenever possible. Mulching mowers are specifically designed to accommodate this procedure, but any mower can return clippings to the lawn. Grass clippings begin to break down quickly after mowing, releasing the water and nutrients contained in the tissue. The nutrients (particularly nitrogen) can be returned to the soil and used by the lawn. Recycling nutrients will reduce the total amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed by the turf each growing season.
Grass Clippings as Mulch
- Grass clippings can effectively be used as mulch for gardens or landscape beds. Be careful when placing the clippings around tender young plants-the clippings can heat up as they decompose, and this may injure young transplants. Also, refrain from using clippings for mulch that were recently treated with weed control products (herbicides). MSU research indicates that the herbicide can volatilize from clippings and injure sensitive plants such as tomatoes, beans and annual flowers. Allow at least two weeks after application of weed control products before using treated clippings as mulch.
Grass Clippings as Compost
- Grass clippings make an outstanding contribution to compost piles because of their high nutrient content. Efficient composting is accomplished by layering green material such as grass clippings, weeds or kitchen scraps with brown materials such as leaves and soil. The compost is a valuable resource for landscape and garden beds as a soil amendment or mulch.
Tree Leaves
- Raking, hauling, bagging and disposing of tree leaves has been an annual event for homeowners and turf managers for many years. MSU researchers have found that mowing these leaves back into the turf is an appropriate alternative. In these studies, more than 6 inches of tree leaves have been mulched into lawn turf. Several types of leaves have been used, such as oak and maple, with no adverse effects on lawn turf. Reports from professional turf managers who have been practicing this technique on golf courses and commercial turf have been positive. Homeowners interested in an alternative to raking leaves might want to try mowing them. A couple of passes with the mower breaks the leaves down into small pieces. The leaf residue will be evident after mowing, but it will sift into the turf within a few weeks and will be unnoticeable in the spring. You can even rake leaves that accumulate in planting beds, fence lines or other areas out into the lawn and mow them. For best results, use a mulching mower, raise your mowing height to better accommodate the tree leaves and mow when the leaves are dry.
HOME COMPOSTING
Materials for Composting
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YES: |
NO: |
| Grass clippings |
Dairy products |
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Leaves-shredded, if possible |
Oils and fats |
| Spent flowers & garden clippings |
Meat, fish, bones |
| Young weeds (without seeds) |
Pet manure; Cat litter |
| Hedge trimmings |
Cooked food |
| Fruit & vegetable peelings |
Diseased plants |
| Lettuce leaves |
Black walnut leaves |
| Coffee grounds, filters & tea bags |
Bread |
| Fertilizer |
Weeds with seeds |
| Soil or compost |
Invasive weeds |
For an ideal composting mix, combine shredded leaves (50% of total volume), green grass clippings, (25% of total volume). Start with available yard clippings and add other materials, as needed, to balance the pile.
The "green" materials have a high nitrogen content which typically causes the pile to heat up and decompose more quickly. To avoid odors, make sure that green materials are mixed thoroughly with brown materials and soil.
Building the Compost Pile
To build the pile, follow these steps:
- Start with a layer of organic materials such as shredded leaves, grass, or other garden debris.
- Water the layer until it is as moist as a wrung-out sponge.
- Add 2"-3" of soil or compost-to provide microorganisms.
- If possible, mix all materials together as you build the pile.
- Continue the process of adding organic materials, soil, and water until the bin is filled. Add grass clippings in small amounts and mix in thoroughly.
- Water each layer...and check moisture periodically. Build the pile to a size of 3'x3'x3' or slightly larger-or fill the compost bin.
Turning the Pile
Turning and mixing the compost pile with a pitchfork or compost turner adds oxygen and accelerates the rate of decomposition. The pile may be turned once a week, once a month, several times a year, or not at all. If the pile is turned over and mixed from time-to-time and kept moist, finished compost is usually available in six to nine months.
Don't worry about the temperature of the pile-either hot or cold composting yields beneficial compost.
Benefits of Compost
Compost is an excellent soil conditioner. When mixed with sandy soil, compost helps to retain and hold water. When mixed with clay soils, compost loosens the soil particles and improves drainage.
Compost is known as gardener's gold because it improves soil structure, retains water, encourages root growth, aerates soil, releases nutrients slowly, supports beneficial microorganisms and earthworms, and suppresses some soil borne diseases.
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