Springfield’s drinking water comes from beneath our feet in the form of groundwater, and also directly from our local, pristine rivers. That means our actions on the surface can have an impact on our drinking water’s quality.
Luckily, protecting this fragile resource is mostly a matter of common sense, and a few good habits.
In your yard:
- Apply herbicides and fertilizers sparingly. If used excessively, runoff can end up in our rivers, which harms drinking water.
- Have your backflow device tested annually. These protectors keep water used in irrigation, which can be contaminated with fertilizers, animal waste and other toxic materials, from flowing back into your home’s water supply system.
- Reduce impermeable surfaces around your home. Having fewer concrete and asphalt surfaces reduces runoff from your property. This is important because runoff often carries chemicals and other toxics that head, untreated, for storm drains. This is a direct route to our rivers, and the runoff can reach groundwater
as well. - Plant a rain garden! These low-lying areas of vegetation channel and collect runoff. This allows time for the ground to filter out pollutants, rather than having them wash down storm drains. Rain garden plants and soil also filter pollutants from water that passes through them.
In your home:
- Dispose of hazardous materials, such as paints, thinners, solvents and pesticides, properly by taking them to the Glenwood Transfer Station. Call the Lane County Waste Management Division at 541-682-4120 for details.
- Take advantage of your sanitation company’s curbside oil recycling program, if they offer it. Alternatively, take your car to one of the quick lube shops for an oil change. Never let oil or other chemicals enter a storm drain.
- If you have unused or unwanted medications in your home, DON’T FLUSH THEM! Take them to a MedReturn box. Find a current list of nearby current list of locations at medtakebackoregon.org
- Use non-toxic cleaning products whenever possible.
In the community
- Call 9-1-1 if you notice a hazardous spill. This activates our community’s emergency response plan.
- Identify, report and stop polluters, especially in sensitive areas. Watch for Wellhead Protection Area signs in Springfield. These areas are considered sensitive and require extra caution in order to protect our water supply. Keep an eye out for dumping or other illegal activities, and report violations!