My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Protecting Water Quality

Monday was the first day of volunteering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The organization works to protect wildlife and provide clean water quality.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation

We started the day refreshing our minds with the water cycle and learning about the causes of water pollution. A fact that stood out to me was when we discussed how stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in the United States and in North Carolina. Not only that, but other factors, such as oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and litter, al contribute to water pollution.

A new lesson for me included our discussion of ways to prevent these runoffs and pollution for entering bodies of water. 

One item that helps prevent stormwater runoff and water pollution is a rain garden. 

Rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from the roof and other nearby surfaces. Rain gutters are connected to a drain buried underground that lead to these gardens, where plants capture the stormwater runoff deep in the ground. Rain gardens prevent the spread of pollution into nearby bodies of water. 

One of the rain gardens at the North Carolina Coastal Federation 

Another interesting item to help intercept runoff are pervious, or permeable, surfaces. While impervious pavements, like common druveways and roads, push runoff and debris into nearby bodies of water, perviois pavement allows for the layer of compacted soil to trap pollutants and reducd stormwater runoff. This type of pavement includes a base and a sub-base with compacted gravel or soil in between so runoff gets soaked and intercepted. 

Pervious pavement

After learning about these items to protect water quality in the area, we got to work weeding the rain gardens, picking up litter, and raking leaves.

I felt satisfied after seeing the difference we made at the NC Coastal Federation through weeding and cleaning the rain gardens and area. The day provided me with a new insight into how a simple rain garden or a certain type of pavement could contribute to providing clean water quality. 

River behind the NCCF where runoff and pollutants end up

After hearing that stormwater runoff, pet waste, fetilizer, oil, and other everyday items contribute to pollution and poor water quality, I realized that everyone can play a role in reducing the amont of stormwater runoff to maintain a clean water quality and to protect wildlife. We can pick up pet waste, compost food, build rain gardens, implement green roofs or pervious payments, and reduce the amount of fertilizer and oil spills. If we can be mindful of how our everyday actions effect clean water and wildlife, then we can help protect bodies of water from being polluted. 

All photos are my own