Clean Beaches Begin At Home

Protect Your Beach From Home

At Home:

• Keep automotive fluids, pet waste and other pollutants out of storm drains.

• Reduce or eliminate the use of lawn fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and toxic cleaning products.

• Wash your car at a carwash that recycles water instead of washing it in your driveway or yard.

• Dispose of household hazardous waste properly. Never dump automotive fluids or cleaning supplies into toilets or down drains.

• Use a rain barrel or plant a rain garden to reduce urban run-off and conserve water.

• Maintain your septic system and have it pumped regularly to avoid leaks and spills.

• Do your part to conserve water. Garden with native plants and avoid water intensive activities like showers and clothes washing during heavy rainstorms.

At the Beach:

• Clean up after yourself and your pets. Dispose of litter properly. Bird and mammal waste carry fecal coliform, a disease-causing bacteria that contaminates water and puts swimmer's health at risk. The presence of these contaminants is often why beaches are closed. Whether you're at home, in the park or at the beach, be considerate of others and clean up after your pet!

• Be a responsible boater. Use caution when refueling over water and never dump sewage or trash overboard.

• Research a companies wastewater discharge policy before booking your next cruise. The cruise industry is largely responsible for policing themselves and unfortunately, not usually up to the task. Where regulations exist, it's often easier for them to pay the fines for dumping illegally that it is to comply with regulations.

• Organize or participate in an annual beach sweep. Designate a day to clean up your local beach and educate friends and neighbors on water quality.

Steering Clear of Contamination

• Avoid going to the beach following a heavy rainfall. This is when bacteria and pollution levels tend to peak.

• Don't swim near drain outlets. Contaminants in present in these areas are concentrated because they haven't had the chance to be diluted by a large volume of water yet.

• Stay out of the water if you have open cuts or sores.

• Swim with your head above water and wear goggles. Avoid splashing water into your mouth and nose.

• Stay away from boat launches or areas where you see fuel, oil, dead fish or smell sewage.

• Swim in areas where the water is open and circulating, rather than in enclosed bays.

About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com