Problems

As the use of water treatment plants and population increase worldwide, stress can be placed on water treatment plants, resulting in release of untreated sewage sludge. Additionally, the policy in much of the US is to treat storm-water in the same matter as sewage, meaning that in the event of prolonged rain, untreated sewage can be released into waterways. In more developing regions, water that has been “treated” may still contain dangerous pollutants.

Exposure of aquatic life to sewage sludge can result in a variety of issues. Foremost, sewage is filled with pathogens, which can lower the dissolved oxygen and raise the temperature of the ecosystem, rendering it unfavorable for many species. Pathogens in water cause an “oxygen sag,” in which there is a septic zone where no fish can survive. Additionally, sewage in water increases its turbidity, decreasing photosynthesis of aquatic plants and lowering the productivity of the ecosystem.

Solutions

Click on the solution below for more information

• Adopt

  Are you a member of a group or organization in your community that would be interested in adopting this waterway? Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about stream adoption.

  Learn more about adopting a stream

• Support public funding of water treatment plants and sewer infrastructure.

  Water related infrastructure is expensive and obtaining funding for necessary sewer and water treatment improvements is often a challenge for communities. However, public dollars are critical to our water quality and public health. Support your community’s efforts to properly maintain it’s water related infrastructure.

  Resources include:

  • America’s Infrastructure Report Card – American Society of Civil Engineers
  • How Sewage Pollution Ends Up in Rivers – American Rivers
  • Greening Water Infrastructure – American Rivers
• Pick up after your pet.

  Pick up after your pet when s/he is on a walk, at the dog park, or in your own backyard. Dispose of this waste in the trash or toilet. Many pet stores and retailers sell biodegradable bags for picking up waste. Some companies offer pet waste removal services. You can also start a pet education campaign in your neighborhood and/or distribute biodegradable pet waste bags.

  Resources include:

  • Free Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags – Cumberland River Compact (Call: 615-837-1151)
  • Biodegradable bags can be purchased online. Options include: Earth Rated Green Dog Poop Bags; Pogi’s Earth Friendly Poop Bags; BioBag Dog; Flush Puppies Doodie Bags.
  • Pet Waste Campaign How-to-Guide
• Allow for natural growth near waterways

  If you live or work next to a waterway, leave a 35′ to 100′ no mow zone on its banks. Allow natural and native plant growth in this buffer area or plant native trees, bushes, and groundcover. This vegetation can filter pollutants before they reach your waterway and provide other water quality benefits that far exceed those of a mowed lawn. Native plants and grasses require less watering and fertilizer and also provide important habitat for native species of wildlife.

  Resources include:

  • Free trees for Tennesseans during TEC’s annual statewide 100K Tree Day – TN Environmental Council
  • Purchase Native Wildflower/Grass Alternatives to Mowed Grass – Roundstone Native Seed and/or Seedland
  • Tennessee Aquatic Stream Clean Up and Riparian Tree Grant (Scroll to bottom of linked page for more info) – TN Wildlife Resources Agency
  • General Guidelines for Volunteer Based Riparian Buffer Plantings – TN Environmental Council
  • Improving Stream Channels With Live Staking – UT Extension
  • Tennessee Urban Riparian Buffer Handbook – TN Dept. of Agriculture
  • Landscaping with Native Plants in West, Middle, and East TN – TN Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Native Plants for TN – UT Extension
  • Forest Stewardship Program and Landowner Services – KY Division of Forestry
  • Plant Availability Guide – KY Department of Agriculture
  • State Nurseries and Tree Seedlings – KY Division of Forestry
• Plant a rain garden

  Rain gardens can filter and infiltrate stormwater that flows across your yard.

  Resources include:

  • Rain Gardens – A Resource Guide – Cumberland River Compact and Metro Nashville
  • TN Native Rain Garden Plants – UT Extension
  • Rain Gardens for Tennessee – UT Extension
  • Rain Gardens Educator’s Toolkit, Rain Gardens for Tennessee Site Summary, and Rain
  • Garden Facts and Tips – UT Extension
  • Rain Garden How-to Brochure – Harpeth River Watershed Association
  • Rain Garden Guide for Middle Tennesseans by Patty Ghertner
  • Start-to-Finish Rain Garden Workbook – Harpeth River Watershed Association
  • Rain Garden Workshop Guide – TN Environmental Council
  • Landscaping with Native Plants in West, Middle, and East TN – TN Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Native Plants for TN – UT Extension
  • Plant Availability Guide – KY Department of Agriculture
• Employ agricultural best management practices.

  Excluding farm animals from this waterway and providing them with alternative sources of water can prevent animals from trampling streamside vegetation and defecating in the waterway.

  Resources include:

  • Natural Resources Conservation Service offers a number of programs that can provide technical or financial assistance to landowners interested in employing agricultural best management practices. Potential programs may include: the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Conservation Technical Assistance Program, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
  • Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund – TN Department of Agriculture
  • Water Quality Best Management Practices Calendar – UT Extension
  • Habitat How-To’s provides information for adopting common habitat management practices when developing an overall farm plan – KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
  • Equipment Loans – KY Division of Conservation
  • State Cost Share Program – KY Division of Conservation
  • Beneficial Conservation Practices for Farmers – Harpeth River Watershed Association
• Organize with others in your community. Make your voices heard and your votes count.

  Participate in community planning efforts and advocate for relevant measures that improve or protect water quality. Write to your elected official and let them know this is concern or invite them to speak about the impairment with your home-owners association. When elections come up, vote for candidates who will address the problem and hold them accountable to their promises. Support local watershed / environmental associations.

  Resources include:

  • Advocacy Toolkit – TN Environmental Council
  • Find Your Legislators – Federal Legislators; State Legislators (KY/TN);
  • A number of organizations work to address impacts to communities from mining in our basin. They include Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, Appalachian Voices, KY Waterways Alliance, Southern Environmental Law Center, Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment.
• Spread the word.

  Do your neighbors, family, or roommates know about the problem? Now that you know how to be an effective steward, enlist the help of others in your neighborhood. Share iCreek or resources within it with your neighbors and encourage them to join the effort to protect your creek.