environment help

Example 3

Water Pollution in Butte County

          For about a year and a half now I have been really interested in sustainability. I chose to take this class because I wanted to learn more about the environmental aspect of sustainability. One subject we have talked about in class has really caught my attention. This is the subject of water scarcity. With fresh water being such a small percent of water on this planet we really need to focus on keeping our water sources uncontaminated and as full as possible. What I’m going to be focusing on is the storm water drainage in Butte County and why they may be risking our water supplies.

          Storm Water Drainage systems are used in Butte County to drain excess rain and groundwater off of paved roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. They are fed mostly by street gutters, which are found on many busy streets throughout Butte County. These Strom Water Drainage systems are designed to send the storm water directly into our water supplies; for example, Big and little Chico Creek that run through our campus and The Sacramento River that is used as a fresh water source all the way down to San Francisco. Sounds like a great way to keep the water from collecting in the wrong areas and puts them into a place where it can be used again. So, what’s the problem?

          In 2004 the Regional Water Quality Control Board informed Butte County of the pollution of water supplies due to polluted storm water draining. What happens is the storm water doesn’t go into the water supplies in the same quality as it was when it fell. As the rain falls and rolls across impermeable surfaces to the drains it collects anything in its path. This includes any pollutants that may be on the ground. Things like cigarette butts that may have been thrown on the ground, oil leaks on the drive ways, any kind of pesticides used on landscapes, and even animal wasted, are all collected and sent untreated into our water ways. These are the same waterways that we gather fish, drinking water, and swim in daily.

          In 2007 Butte County had performed their second Storm Water Public Opinion Survey, in which they randomly selected residents within Butte County Storm Water Management Program’s permit area to survey asking questions relating to water pollution and storm water management issues. In this study they found that 84% of those surveyed, used pesticides in the past year, 16% said they leave their pets waste while on walks, 47% said they wash their car’s at home. (Butte County's Second Public Opinion Survey) As we now know all of that then gets washed into our waterways.

          So, what does this polluted runoff do to the water supplies? The United States Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted a few major problems with polluted storm water runoff. First off the sediment that is collected during run off can cloud the water making it very hard for the aquatic plant life to grow. This can even lead to the destruction of aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients can cause the death of algae, which are very crucial to an aquatic system. When they die and decompose at the bottom of the water supply they can actually reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, which could lead to death of fish. Debris, like plastic bags, alcohol containers, and cigarettes all wash into our waterways. These could really affect the aquatic life. Think about the image of a dolphin’s mouth trapped closed by a six pack ring; something we have all seen in a movie or show. Think about how all this affects our swimming areas. Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into our swimming areas like One Mile, and cause health risks to our children.

          I have actually experienced this first hand. One day I was visiting a section of the Big Chico Creek with my wife. It was right across the street from the Sacramento River, which means it would soon enter it. When we got to the water we couldn’t believe what we saw. The water was super cloudy and brown. It didn’t look as if it had any life in it at all. We even saw trash lining the edge of it from visitors before us, or maybe even through the run off.

          It turns out that many people are still unaware of the problems behind storm water pollution. The first Storm Water Public Opinion Survey in 2005 showed that 91% did not recall ever even hearing about storm water related messages through media; although in 2007 the number of people aware of the storm water messages increased to 30%. (Butte County's Second Public Opinion Survey) However, this is still a very low number. With the awareness so low on a problem so big we can only imagine that people are taking any measures to reduce the problem.

          Polluted Storm Water Drainage systems are a large problem in Butte County and all measures should be taken by the locals to reduce the problem. Through programs like the Butte County Storm Water Management Program and Keep Chico Clean the county must become aware of the causes and consequences of this issue.

         

         

Citation

"After the Storm" Home. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://water.epa.gov/action/weatherchannel/stormwater.cfm>.

"Butte County's Second Public Opinion Survey." Butte County.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 24Oct. 2012. <http://www.buttecounty.net/Public%20Works/Divisions/Land%20Development/S tormwater%20Program/~/media  /County%20Files/Public%20Works/Public%20Int ernet/Stormwater/Second %20Survey%20results%20narrative.ashx>.

"Butte County Storm Water Management News." Butte County.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.buttecounty.net/Public%20Works/Divisions/Land%20Development/S tormwater% 20Program/News.aspx>.

"Storm Drain." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Oct. 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_drain>.

"Watershed-friendly Cleaning Method Tip #2." Keep Chico Clean. Butte County Department of Public Works, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.keepchicoclean.org/>.