Backyard Conservation Corner
Ever wonder where your
drinking water comes from?
Many rural
residences in Delaware County depend on well water for drinking; the city of
Muncie depends on surface water. That’s
right; the water flowing through the White River will eventually come out of
your tap.
Upper White
River Watershed including sub-watersheds
Muncie is
encompassed in the upper White River watershed; all the water
flowing through the land in this area will end up in the White River. Every
residence, business and individual in the city impacts the quality of our
water.
Storm Water Runoff
Every time
it rains, water flows through the land picking up nutrients off agricultural
fields, oil from roads and other pollutants on our land. The impervious
surfaces such as roofs and parking lots only contribute to the problem.
But wait! There are conservation practices anyone can do
to keep our river, and our drinking water, clean.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels
are an easy way to capture water from your roof, thereby decreasing storm water
runoff. Simply position the barrel under the gutter downspout and you will have
rainwater to use for your garden, trees, to wash your car, even to water your
lawn in times of low rainfall. But watch out! Watering in the middle of the day
will allow the sun to evaporate the water before it can infiltrate. Be sure to
water in the morning or at night to prepare for those blistery summer days. During
these summer months this watering can make up about 40% of total water use for
a typical household. Wow! When you consider the savings of money, the benefit
to the environment and the decrease in demand on
the treatment plant, conserving water is a win-win! Rain GardensIn order
to have a system of
conservation in your backyard there are many other things you can do. Rain
gardens are perfect for those pesky areas of your yard that are often wet and
hold water. When these areas drain, unsightly brown spots are left, decreasing landscape pleasure. A rain garden would take these areas and turn
them into a beautiful flower bed, one that will soak this water up and give it
time to infiltrate into the soil. Using native, deep rooted plants will give
the garden the best opportunity to thrive and increase infiltration. By
conserving more of the rainwater in your yard you can decrease water surges,
decreasing storm water runoff and recharge local groundwater. The type of
soil you have is an important aspect of building your garden; check out our
soils page to learn more.
Trees Plant a
tree! Trees conserve water by shading grass thereby lowering evaporation and also
adding moisture to the atmosphere through transpiration. Trees also reduce
runoff through their canopy by breaking the rainfall and allowing water to
drain down the trunk into the earth below. Mulching trees can also create a
spongy area to soak up water much like a rain garden will. These practices
capture rainwater and filter pollutants, thereby stopping the transport
to the river.
That’s not
all trees can do for you! They can decrease air conditioning expenses by
shading your house; they clean the air by capturing pollutant gases and odors
all while providing oxygen. More trees in the city will also decrease the heat
island effect, making city streets cooler in those hot summer months. Where
soil erosion is a problem, trees hold the land in place!
Trees also
have other great benefits to society; patients exposed to trees tend to heal faster
and with fewer complications from the trees natural calming effect and can even
reduce violence. They also provide economic benefits, increasing property
values, and attracting new people to the area.
Of course,
native trees are the way to go. Not only will they thrive but will also attract
wildlife. Birds, squirrels, butterflies
and beneficial insects will be allowed to share the land and provide further
enjoyment for you and your neighborhood!
Composting Composting
is a good way to decrease household trash while enriching your soil. Whether
you have a stand-alone composter or you use space directly in the soil, this is
a good way to add beneficial matter into your soil. Worms as well as soil
microbes will help decompose vegetable, fruit and grain waste in a green way-
reducing landfill waste.
That’s not
all! There are many other ways to conserve water and decrease pollution around
your house…
Wash your
car in the grass instead of a driveway or other impervious surface; this will
allow the detergents to filter through the soil instead of washing into the
storm drain.
Don’t
litter- this trash will end up in the storm drains and in the River!
Have pesky
yard litter? Compost it! This yard waste contains beneficial organic matter
that can increase your soil quality. Use it in your compost or around your
trees and plants for mulching.
Make nature work for you- don’t let these valuable
resources skirt past your house, capture them! These backyard conservation
practices can work together, helping to contain natural resources on your
property and increase the quality of your land, your neighborhood and your
life!
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