What can you do to help repair & keep the shorelines healthy?

Instead of clearing your shoreline:

• Leave natural vegetation in place and let the shoreline grow wild: Leaving natural debris such as stumps, fallen trees or rocks along the shoreline or in the water will provide food and homes for all types of wildlife
• Plant erosion-prone slopes with native plants and ground cover.
• Plant drought-resistant native shrubs
• Obtain the proper permits before doing any work
• Pick up and remove garbage
• Locate compost piles far away from the lake
• Keep non-native species out of the watershed: no new home for pet frogs and turtles

To avoid contaminants & soil erosion

• Use gravel or bricks for driveways or patios to reduce run-off
• Aerate your lawn to increase its ability to absorb and hold water
• Replenish disturbed ground-cover areas as soon as possible and cover exposed soil with tarps during construction
• Plant vegetation at lower elevations than nearby hard surface to allow runoff to seep into the soil
• Apply manure, bone-meal, peat or other types of mulch to avoid chemicals
• Use phosphate-free, environmentally-friendly products such as soaps and detergents. Phosphates cause algal blooms
• Use natural fertilizers and pesticides. Chemical varieties can kill off animals and aquatic creatures such as frogs and fish
• Absorb outdoors toxic spills with kitty litter or sawdust

Septic Tank Maintenance

Have your septic tank cleaned out every two to five years. Effluent from failed or poorly maintained septic systems can contaminate groundwater. Cleaning out your system regularly saves money and prolongs the life of your septic system (which is expensive to replace these days, especially due to stringent new government regulations).

Indications that your septic system may be in trouble include:

• Sewage surfacing over the drain-field
• Slow draining toilets and kitchen sinks
• Bad odours from toilets, sinks or nearby the tank itself

  Septic Tanks Contamination

  Most of the homes on the lake have their septic tanks and fields within 25 feet of the lake - what would be considered illegal by today's health standards. If there is a problem with any one of those tanks or fields, poisonous chemicals, like formaldehydes and ammonia, can be introduced to our drinking water - substances that can be deadly.

  Additionally, non-degradable products can clog a septic system which can lead to hundreds to thousands of dollars to remedy the situation. These systems rely on the effective bacterial breakdown of all the waste that flows into them. So beware of what your pour down sinks, toilets and drains.

  The following items can interfere with this process or even cause it to fail:

  • Bleach
  • Paints or solvents
  • Antifreeze
  • Motor oils
  • Grease or fats of any kind
  • Tampons, sanitary napkins
  • Condoms
  • Disposable diapers
  • Cat litter
  • Coffee grounds
  • Paper towels
  • Metal objects
  • Cigarette butts

If we are stewards of the
watershed for fish and other
wildlife, we too will be able to
obtain good quality water.

DO'S

• Follow best management practices when living and working around the lakes and in the watershed
• Properly maintain your septic tanks
• Encourage drinking water providers to follow best management practices
• Be aware of the different ways to affect shorelines
• Be aware of the "Ribbon of Life"
• Dispose of your garbage properly
• Use non-toxic cleaners and phosphate-free detergents
• Make your own "safe cleaning kit" with baking soda, pure soap, washing soda, vegetable oil and white vinegar
• Install water reduction attachments
• Leave vegetation undisturbed

DON'T'S

• Don't let the water run continually
• Never flush non-biodegradable products down the toilet. It can damage your sewage treatment system
• Don't use harsh chemicals anywhere in your home or garden
• Don't let your dog swim in the lake
• Forget to maintain your septic field
• Don't litter or otherwise relieve yourself in your drinking water