True or false:
Our local waterways are on a diet?
Believe it or not this is actually true.
Our local waterways are filled with high levels of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria. The federal government has stated that it’s time for our waterways to shed the pollution. Just like any diet, our waterways have a goal to meet. So, what exactly is the goal weight of our waterways? Each of our waterways has been assigned a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). A TMDL puts a limit on the amount of pollutants that can enter our waterways while meeting water quality standards. In order to meet these standards, we need your help.
Here are some simple steps you can take to help our waterways stay on track and shed the pollution:
- When walking your dogs, scoop the poop.
- When strolling in the park, don’t feed the wildlife.
- When doing yard work, don’t over fertilize your yard and be sure to plant native plants.
Next time you step on the scale or hit the gym, think about our waterways and what you can do to help them reach their goal.
This blog post was submitted by Diana Cheatham, Norfolk Emerging Leader intern.