hand washing a car

Vehicle Cleaning Effects on Storm Water

 

With spring in full swing and spring-cleaning projects under way, this is a popular time for residents to pull out the hose and bucket of soapy water to wash their cars. Did you know that washing your car at home can be harmful to the environment? One important thing to consider when washing your car is the potential for pollutants and chemicals to enter storm drains.

Brake dust may contain microscopic fragments of iron/steel particles, carbon, copper, brass, graphite, glass, rubber and other harmful materials.

Storm drains are designed to carry rainwater and melted snow away from roads and other paved surfaces, and they often flow directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other bodies of water. This means that anything that goes down a storm drain can have a direct impact on water quality and the health of aquatic life and their ecosystems.

When washing your car, many people use soap, wax, and other cleaning products that contain chemicals like phosphates and surfactants. These chemicals can be harmful to aquatic life if they enter waterways in high enough concentrations. Not only can the chemicals used to clean your vehicle be harmful but carbon dust, oil, grease, micro plastics and other contaminants from your car’s engine, brakes and undercarriage can also be washed into storm drains, further polluting the water.

What you can do to minimize the impact that washing your vehicle has on the environment

One option is to use a commercial car wash that recycles its water and uses environmentally friendly cleaning products. These car washes are designed to capture and treat the water that is used, preventing it from entering storm drains and nearby waterways.

If you prefer to wash your car at home, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact. First, choose a location that is away from storm drains or other bodies of water. This could be a grassy area that allows for the natural filtration of the water being used or a driveway that allows the water to soak into the ground rather than running off into the street.

Next, use a bucket instead of a hose to wash your car. This will help conserve water and prevent excess runoff. You can also use environmentally friendly cleaning products, which are formulated to be safer for aquatic life and the environment.

Finally, consider disposing of any wastewater properly. You can pour it onto your lawn or garden, down the proper household drain or you can take it to a local wastewater treatment facility. By taking these steps, you can help keep our waterways clean and healthy while still enjoying the benefits of a clean vehicle.

This article was authored by Derrick Montanye, Public Works Director, City of Cloverdale, on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

Earth Day 2023 – List of Events

Earth Day is coming upon us! Do you know what that means? April 22nd marks the day we get to focus on the environment, learn more about conservation, be out in nature, and promote a healthy, sustainable environment.

Earth Day is a great opportunity to take part in activities that connect you with your community and environmental practices! We compiled a list of local activities for you to enjoy with friends and family.

 Any event updates will be posted as soon as they are available. Please check with the below event organizers or this blog regularly.

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day started on April 22, 1970 when a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and Earth Day founder, Gaylord Nelson witnessed devastation caused by the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Nelson and his co-chair, Congressman Pete McCloskey recruited Denis Hayes from Harvard to coordinate a national staff of 85 who promoted events across the United States. On the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans rallied together to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment and protect against the deterioration of the environment. This became the start of the environmental movement and led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

In 1990, Denis Hayes organized an Earth Day that went global with 200 million people in 141 countries taking part and addressing environmental issues.

Earth Day is now a celebration of the environment and an opportunity to raise awareness on conservation and sustainability on all forefronts of environmental topics such as water, energy, air, and wildlife

Events around the Russian River Watershed:

 

City of Cotati

Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sweet Spring Festival. The Sweet Spring Festival will celebrate the beautiful and new things the earth provides us each and every year, from bees to butterflies, birds to blooms. Come out for crafts, games, animals, music and dancing, yummy treats and plant flower seeds to take home.

Location: Veronda-Falletti Ranch, 175 West Sierra Ave, Cotati

Fee: $5 per person. Children 2 and under are free. Please register for each person in your party and include any 2 and under children in the notes.

Registration is encouraged, and drop-ins are welcome. All ages are welcome. Please wear closed-toe shoes. View flyer here

City of Healdsburg

Saturday, April 22 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Healdsburg’s 1st Climate Fest. Join in to learn about the climate crisis and to get inspired to make changes that will allow the City to reach its goal of net carbon neutrality by 2030.  Corazon, North Bay Jobs with Justice and Generation Housing will be there, along with over 40 booths/tables, a bike rodeo for kids, an electric vehicle show, an Earth Protectors Parade featuring students of all ages in costumes and masks, a crafts table and a fire truck for kids to climb on, music and speakers! Bicycle helmets, popcorn, and cookies will be given away (while supplies last).  The City of Healdsburg will be giving away an electric bike.

Saturday, April 22 at 2:00 PM Earth Protectors Parade. Part of Healdsburg’s 1st Climate Fest, gather on the NW corner of the Plaza at 2:00. Dress up as earth, wind, fire, water, plants, animals, protectors of our planet! Co-created by West Side, HHS, HJH, THS art students and their teachers (and you!)

English flyer

Spanish flyer

City of Santa Rosa

Saturday, April 22 from noon to 4:00 PM Santa Rosa’s annual Earth Day Festival at Courthouse Square in downtown. This FREE, family-friendly, zero waste festival brings the community together through fun activities, live performing arts, great food, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our vibrant city and get involved by learning about solutions to address drought, climate change, and environmental concerns in our community. View event website

  • 50+ Exhibitors
  • Outdoor Showcase of Santa Rosa’s Performing Arts Scene
  • Food & Drink
  • Kids’ Activities & Crafts courtesy of Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks
  • Local & Earth-friendly Products
  • Workshops
  • Hydration Station
  • Zero Waste Event
  • Giveaways
  • Free Bike Parking courtesy of Sports Basement
  • Free & Family Friendly
  • Beer & Wine Garden

City of Sebastopol

Saturday, April 22 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM FREE family fun at the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm. The Luther Burbank Experiment Farm in Sebastopol is celebrating Earth Day 2023 with free activities on Saturday, April 22, from 9 AM to 3 PM. This family-friendly event will feature docent-led walks through the historic garden and farmstead; scavenger hunts with prizes; a tree planting demonstration; nursery and plant sales; carnival photo stand; and many many photo opportunities. The nursery sales will include rare Burbank plants, and a tree planting demonstration by our farm curator, Jamie Self. The garden will be in bloom, and the sun will hopefully be shining as we celebrate and help protect our Earth together. Location: Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, 7777 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Questions? Contact wschscommunications@gmail.com. Visit www.wschs.org/events/earth-day-2023 for more information. Download flyer

City of Ukiah

Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM FREE admission to the Grace Hudson Museum. Join this Earth Day Ukiah celebration at the Grace Hudson Museum presented by the City of Ukiah, Russian River Watershed Association, and Ukiah Waste Solutions.

There will be educational booths, arts & crafts, and FREE admission to the Grace Hudson Museum.

Interested in volunteering?
Meet in front of the museum at 9:00 AM for community projects such as garbage pick-up, painting, and more!

If you would like to sponsor, table, or volunteer, please e-mail mdavison@cityofukiah.com

Town of Windsor

Saturday, April 22 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Earth-Day Clean-Up. In honor of Earth Day 2023, the Town of Windsor Storm Water Quality Program is organizing a community trash cleanup event.  Meet at the end of Victory Lane to pick up safety vests, pickers, gloves and bags. Volunteers will be dispatched to one of three in-Town locations to pick up trash. All participants will receive a free gift and snacks.

Please register on Eventbrite prior to the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-day-trash-cleanup-town-of-windsor-ca-tickets-588298766447

For more information, call (707) 838-5385 or email stormwater@townofwindsor.com.

Russian Riverkeeper events year-round

Step 1: Sign Your Safety Waiver- Here.

Spanish Version: EXENCIÓN DE RESPONSABILIDAD Y ASUNCIÓN EXPRESA DE RIESGOS En Español: AQUÍ

Step 2: Sign Up For A Cleanup

Contact Russian Riverkeeper with any questions.

 

You Deserve a Cleaner Life, but so do our Creeks

Power washing (or pressure washing) can be an important tool for achieving quick and satisfying results when cleaning and maintaining hard surfaces, buildings, or large equipment which can otherwise be difficult to clean. But did you know that if you’re not careful, that dirty wash water can end up in our creeks? Before pulling out your power washer this spring, remember that fish and wildlife deserve a clean place to live too. There are a few simple precautions you can take that will help you be environmentally responsible and protect the water in our creeks while using your power washer.

When using a power washer, just because you wash it out of sight, doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. If not properly contained, your washed-away debris will flow down the streets and end up in our creeks and waterways through the storm drains. Storm drains are for rainwater and rainwater only! That means no soap or cleaning products, no paint scrapings, and no other sediment or debris that could be washed away by your power washer. When these unwanted pollutants enter storm drains, they go directly into our waterways and can contaminate wildlife habitats and the water in our creeks.

We all want to enjoy a clean and healthy Russian River so let’s not pollute it with our runoff.

That brings us to the question of how to power wash responsibly. Before deciding to use a power washer, make sure you are aware of drought restrictions in your area. Despite the much-needed rainstorms that filled our reservoirs in January, conserving water continues to be an important tool to protect our future water supply. According to the California State Water Resources Control Board, emergency drought restrictions are still in place for all California residents through January 2024. This includes the following restriction on power washing: “The use of potable water for washing sidewalks, driveways, buildings, structures, patios, parking lots, or other hard surfaced areas, [is prohibited] except in cases where health and safety are at risk.”

This means that the use of a power washer or pressure washer is only allowed for the purposes of maintaining health and safety and cannot be used solely for aesthetic purposes. This restriction helps prevent wasteful and unreasonable potable water use.

Keeping this restriction in mind, if power washing is necessary to maintain health and safety or if you are using recycled water in your power washer, please remember to protect our creeks and rivers from harmful and potentially toxic runoff, by following these important precautions:

  • Block storm drains near your site with waterproof sandbags to prevent unwanted runoff.
  • Always clean the area first using a dry method like sweeping or using a blower and place all sediment and debris in the garbage.
  • If oil is present, be sure to clean with water-free methods prior to power washing and place an oil-absorbent boom around the storm drain inlet during power washing.
  • Use plain, cold high-pressure water, and avoid using chemicals, cleaning solutions, or hot water.
  • Capture and direct dirty water to landscaped areas or to sanitary sewer systems, (i.e., indoor sinks, showers, bathtubs, floor drains, toilets, and outside building cleanouts). Be sure your landscaping does not have a storm drain inlet that the discharge could potentially flow into.
  • Remember to check local ordinances and follow all regulatory procedures.
  • Whether you’re using a power washer or not, it is important to remember “Only rain down the storm drain!” Do your part to conserve water, reduce runoff, and keep our watershed happy and healthy for all.
This article was authored by Sierra Parkhurst, Town of Windsor -Public Works Department, Division of Water and Environmental Management, on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

Get Ready to Chase Down Sneaky Leaks!

Toilet leaks are often silent and can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day, making the toilet the number one cause for a high-water bill. Each year the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program, promotes Fix a Leak Week, March 20 through March 26, 2023, as a reminder to annually look for and repair leaks around the house. This year the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is encouraging residents to find and fix toilet leaks by sponsoring the Dye Tab Challenge through March 31, 2023.

To join the Dye Tab Challenge, check your toilets for leaks and submit your results for a chance to win a $25 Visa Gift Card.

Follow these simple steps to check your toilets for leaks:

Next, submit your leak test results before March 31, 2023. To be eligible to win a $25 Visa Gift Card you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Sonoma County whose water is supplied by California American Water – Larkfield, City of Cloverdale, City of Cotati, City of Healdsburg, City of Petaluma, City of Rohnert Park, City of Santa Rosa, City of Sonoma, Valley of the Moon Water District, Town of Windsor, or a resident of Marin County whose water is supplied by North Marin Water District or Marin Water.

Toilets are not the only sneaky leak to chase down during Fix a Leak Week. Now is also a great time to test and complete repairs to automated irrigation systems and ensure they are working properly before the start of the irrigation season. Broken sprinklers, leaking irrigation valves, and damaged drip hoses can waste a significant amount of water, adding additional cost to your bill.

These irrigation leaks also create water runoff from your property that can carry fertilizers, sediments, and other pollutants into storm drains that are connected to our creeks, streams, and the Russian River. Fixing these leaks now will help improve the health of the Russian River and improve your bottom line.

Need help? Look for and hire a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. QWEL Pros have been trained in efficient irrigation principles, sustainable landscaping practices, and can help you use water efficiently in your landscape.

For more information on ways to save water: www.savingwaterpartnership.org

This article was authored by Lauren Lum of Sonoma Water, on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

 

New Year Brings New Opportunities for Safe Medicine Disposal

Safe medicine disposal program logoThanks to newly implemented statewide legislation, Sonoma and Mendocino County residents now have more convenient opportunities to safely dispose of their expired or unwanted medications and home‑generated sharps waste.

California Senate Bill 212, passed in 2018, laid the groundwork for pharmaceutical manufacturers and producers to pay for the collection, transportation, and disposal of their products at the end of their lifecycle. CalRecycle is the State agency that manages oversight of this new industry-run statewide stewardship program that provides safe and convenient disposal options for pharmaceutical and home-generated sharps waste at no cost to the consumer.

Starting in 2023, you should see more and more medication collection bins popping up at your local pharmacies. Large chain stores like CVS, Safeway, Lucky Pharmacy, and Rite Aid are participating in this new stewardship program along with local pharmacies to provide safe drop-off of medications at the same place you pick up prescriptions. There will also be more mail-back options available. Some local law enforcement agencies also provide collection bins for residents to drop-off medications.

Where and How Do I Dispose of Pharmaceuticals?

For now, home-generated sharps and needles will continue to be collected as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) at local HHW collection facilities and collection events. Russian River Watershed Association (RRWA) will monitor the status of sharps stewardship programs as they come online during this year. California residents can order free sharps mail-back kits with containers through the participating stewardship organizations.

How Do I Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Waste?

Before the passage of Senate Bill 212, the financial cost of managing the Safe Medicine Disposal Program had fallen on local Sonoma and Mendocino County jurisdictions, including local jurisdictions through RRWA. By shifting the responsibility for collection and disposal from public entities to private stewardship groups, California’s Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Law saves taxpayer money and local resources. The Stewardship Law also promotes the circular economy, by mandating manufacturers consider end-of-life disposal in the design and management of their products.

CalRecycle encourages residents to submit any issues or concerns with collection sites and types of medications and sharps accepted. To report an issue, submit a survey at the CalRecycle program homepage at https://calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/pharmasharps/referral/ or email PharmaSharpsEnforcement@CalRecycle.ca.gov.

This article was authored by Zero Waste Sonoma and County of Sonoma Department of Health Services, Environmental Health on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

 

Recycled Water: A Necessary Resource for Sustainability

The Earth is a watery place! In images captured from space, we can observe that our planet has more water than land, with water covering 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. However, of all the water on Earth, the oceans hold 96.5 percent as saltwater and of the remaining freshwater, only .3 percent is usable by humans and other living things. Meanwhile, the availability of clean water is becoming more unpredictable and variable as a result of climate change. By 2025, the United Nations predicts that 1.8 billion people will reside in areas with absolute water scarcity[1].

Most communities get their water from rivers, lakes, or groundwater reservoirs. Unfortunately, we frequently deplete water from those resources faster than they can replenish themselves: river’s rate of recharge might be hampered by excessive withdrawal, which would also cause the little streams that spawn from it to dry up; and when we overdraft from lakes and groundwater aquifers those sources can also dry up, only recovering if people stop drawing water. With climate change creating greater unpredictability and California potentially entering its fourth year of drought conditions[2], the challenge of maximizing the supply of clean water is one that faces many communities throughout the state. Recycled water can be a critical component of the solution.

Water recycling (also commonly known as water reuse or water reclamation) involves recovering it from various sources, treating it, and using it again for beneficial processes such irrigation and farming, potable (drinking) water production, groundwater replenishment, manufacturing, and environmental restoration. Reusing water can improve water security, sustainability, and resilience while offering alternatives to current water sources.

https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/basic-information-about-water-reuse

Recycled water is one of the most strictly regulated water sources in the country and is required to adhere to strict health and safety criteria imposed by the California Department of Health as well as environmental quality standards set by Regional Water Quality Control Board. Recycled water is rigorously inspected and tested on a constant basis by regulatory organizations to guarantee the safety of this water supply.

Nationally, California leads in the way in recycled water use. To promote its use across the state, our Legislature and regulatory bodies have given recycled water regulations top priority. The State Water Resources Control Board adopted a Recycled Water Policy in 2009, amended in 2018, which includes goals for the increased use of recycled water, especially in groundwater-overdrafted and coastal areas, as well as annual reporting requirements statewide for the volume of recycled water produced and used. In 2020, the amount of water recycled in California under the state’s Title 22 regulations grew 6 percent over the previous year to reach 728,000 acre-feet per year, according to new numbers released by the State Water Resources Control Board. Under the California’s Water Supply Strategy released by Governor Newsom last summer, the state is proposing to set a goal to reuse at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030 and 1.8 million acre-feet by 2040 and considering greater investments where possible to finance water recycling projects. Additionally, the state water board is developing

“direct potable reuse” regulations that should be complete by 2023, which will allow rigorously treated recycled water to integrate more directly into public drinking water systems.

Within the Russian River watershed, recycled water is used for landscaping, agricultural irrigation, construction, and other authorized uses in communities such as Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Windsor, and Santa Rosa. As of 2021, the City of Ukiah has completed the first three phases of a new water recycling facility, known as the “purple pipe project,” which provides an additional 1,000 acre-feet per year of water in the Ukiah Valley. The project helps create a more diversified and drought resilient water supply, with 30 percent of Ukiah’s water portfolio now coming from the recycled water facility. Additionally, the facility reduces the city’s wastewater diversions into the Russian river, which helps protect aquatic environments and habitats such as fisheries.

Water recycling has been demonstrated to be an efficient and successful way to create a fresh, dependable water supply while also protecting water quality and public health. As water demands and environmental needs increase, water recycling will play a larger role in our entire water supply. If we work together to overcome obstacles, water recycling, along with water conservation and efficiency, can help us manage our significant water resources sustainably.

 

 

This article was authored by Michael Harrigan, Environmental Compliance Specialist for the County of Mendocino on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

 

[1] https://www.fao.org/land-water/water/water-scarcity/en/

[2] https://calmatters.org/environment/2022/09/california-drought-likely-to-continue

Action Tracker: A New Year’s Resolution like no “Otter”

Creeeeeeeek….here we go again…

A chill is in the air, frost dresses the ground with a crystal white blanket handwoven by Old Man Winter himself, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fast approaching, and ultimately, we prepare ourselves to wave goodbye to the old year while embracing the new.

The New Year…..so many thoughts and feelings invoked by just the idea of it. A new me, a new chance, a new experience beyond the limited confines of this past year, which let’s be honest, never let us fully stretch our wings to become the person we truly are, right? This year will be different! Can’t you feel it?!

And yet, as you kick your feet up and slip away into a daydream of actually spotting a river otter this year in your local creek, the clock strikes on the midnight hour, and all the common distractions begin to flood your mind once again.

What changes will I make? What am I going to do differently? How can I better myself? How can I be better for others? How can I do this the entire year? I mean let’s be honest, it’s stressful being a better person, right?

 

River otter in Santa Rosa Creek, June 23, 2020

But please, this year of all other years, don’t even worry about it. Don’t even sweat! Don’t even waste an ounce of stress on this decision. And tell others not to worry as well. Because Streets to Creeks has your back. There’s a way to exercise, make a difference locally, and quantify your success all in one simple resolution. It is an innovative and new idea for your New Year’s Resolution. Something that is impactful, meaningful, and purposeful … it is from Streets to Creeks, and it is called Action Tracker!

That’s right! Its already sitting here just waiting for you to take the wheel and create a campaign to better our world, our waterways, our wildlife, and you. Action Tracker is a way for you to set a goal and tell your story on how you made this world a better place this year. Many hands make light work and simple actions have great impacts towards protecting our local community waterways, creeks, and river. Action Trackers protect their local creeks from streets.  Set a goal and tell the story of your motivation to protect our creeks. Invite friends, classmates, neighbors, or any like-minded individuals to track their actions to meet your goal, together. Where will you focus your positive changes?  Currently there are three simple activities to select from that will help you track your success related to preventing litter, car washing rinse water, or pet waste (even backyards have drains that lead to our creeks) from being transported into our fishable, swimmable, and drinkable local waterways.

Inspire others, raise social awareness, or decide to get motivated and encouraged by other’s campaigns. You can do this individually, organize your neighborhood, inspire your local club or organization (think Rotary Club, Girl Scouts, Chess Club), or even challenge your local business leaders and join in their efforts to lead by example. Just go to www.streetstocreeks.org and click the Action Tracker link to get started!

So don’t worry about your New Year’s resolution this year.  Your Action Tracker Campaign tabulates all efforts and provides you with valuable insight into how your actions have kept pollutants like litter, pathogens, soap and more from our creeks.

Remember, if it’s in the street, it can get into the creek untreated. And in the end, this is all of Ours to Protect.

And as Old Man Winter comes knocking on the door again next year as he always does, perhaps he’ll be quite tickled that our streets and our creeks are a bit tidier for him this time around thanks to you.

This article was authored by Aaron Nunez, Environmental Specialist, City of Santa Rosa, on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

 

Composting and Food Waste Reduction

A Law with Ambitious Goals

At the beginning of 2022, the new state law Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, also known as Senate Bill (SB) 1383 went into effect. The law is a statewide effort to reduce the amount of organic materials such as food, paper products, and plant trimmings discarded into landfills. Because organic materials decompose in landfills to produce methane and other greenhouse gases, which are the aforementioned “short-lived climate pollutants”, the goal is to slow and reduce the effects of the climate crisis.

The law requires all residents and commercial businesses to subscribe to regular collection of organic materials (green bin service) in addition to recycling and garbage.  All organic materials, including spoiled left-over foods, fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, bones, dairy products, food-soiled napkins, and plant trimmings can no longer be discarded in the black (garbage) bin, but should be placed in the green bin which is sent to composting facilities.

Large food producing businesses have additional requirements to donate excess food to feed people as an effort to combat food insecurity. These businesses are defined below as Tier 1 Entities, who must start donating food in 2022, and Tier 2 Entities, who must start in 2024.

TIER 1 COMMERCIAL ENTITIES (2022)

  • Supermarkets
  • Grocery stores
  • Food service providers (with contracts)
  • Food distributors
  • Wholesale food vendors

TIER 2 COMMERCIAL ENTITIES (2024)

  • Restaurants >250 seats or >5,000 sq ft
  • Hotels with on-site food facility and >200 rooms
  • Health facilities with on-site food facility and >100 beds
  • Large venues or events with average >2,000 people per day of operation
  • Local education agencies with on-site food facility

Use the Compost You Create

As far as climate strategies go, redirecting organic materials from the landfill to composting facilities is just as important as using the compost created to replenish soils. The climate crisis is happening due to an excess of carbon in the form of methane (CH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Most state and federal policies focus their attention on reducing carbon emissions, which only slows the climate crisis. To stop or even reverse the climate crisis, sequestering carbon back into the soil and rocks is necessary. If preventing organic materials from entering landfills can be likened to turning off the faucet, applying compost to soil is like wiping up the spill.

Soil with the addition of compost has a much richer diversity of microorganisms, a more porous density, and a larger amount of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Plants are therefore able to grow more extensive root systems and have better access to water, all of which correlate to superior plant health and larger plant size. The larger the plant, the more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is converted into plant sugars, woody material, and elemental carbon in the soil.

Even better than using compost purchased from a retail store is using local compost. Zero Waste Sonoma organizes regular compost giveaway events for free throughout Sonoma County, where the compost is made from the organic materials collected from residential green bins. Events can be found at:  www.zerowastesonoma.gov/calendar. Alternatively, creating your own compost through a backyard hot pile method or through vermicomposting works just as well. Information and resources to get started are on this page:  www.zerowastesonoma.gov/home-composting.

Make Waste Reduction a Priority

Although composting and recycling are good practices to keep, they are still resource and energy intensive, which means waste reduction should always take priority. In terms of food, according to a 2020 study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, “Estimating Food Waste as Household Production Inefficiency” (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajae.12036) , the average U.S. household wastes 31.9% of what they purchase annually. Imagine buying 3 bags of groceries but leaving one in the parking lot. This may take the form of forgotten leftovers in the back of the fridge, spoiled produce, bread gone moldy on the counter, or meat products purchased during a sale but now have freezer burn. The researchers found that households with higher food waste tended to have more healthful diets and higher incomes while households with lower levels of waste tended to draw up shopping lists.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for reducing food waste at home:

  • Shop with a list and avoid purchasing perishable foods in bulk.
  • Cook only as much as you can eat to avoid leftovers.
  • Eat and use all parts of the plant or animal. For example, cauliflower leaves, kale stems, and cilantro stems are full of flavor and tender after cooking. IKEA’s free Scraps Book (https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/files/pdf/58/9f/589f2b5d/the-scrapsbook.pdf) of recipes offers unique suggestions.
  • Store foods properly to extend shelf lives
  • Eat the most perishable foods first. Having a basket or section of the fridge at eye level with a label, “eat me first” may help.
  • Get online inspiration and have a few go-to recipes that are flexible with the ingredients. Chili/soup, casseroles, rice bowls, omelets, fried rice, chilaquiles, and curry are some examples.
  • The Sonoma County Master Food Preservers offers free workshops and educational resources to help extend and preserve the life of food that could otherwise be waste: https://ucanr.edu/sites/MFPSC
  • Making small lifestyle changes like composting, recycling, and reducing the amount of food wasted may seem insignificant and small, but their combined efforts can make a big difference in the face of a climate crisis.
This article was authored by Xinci Tan, Organics Program Manager with Zero Waste Sonoma, on behalf of the City of Healdsburg for RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.

 

We Need a Trash Service Along the Russian River

In the summer months, people experiencing homelessness may establish encampments within the riparian zone of the Russian River and inadvertently create a significant source of trash entering our waterways. Over the course of time, thousands of pounds of plastics, needles, and human and pet waste accumulate around their camps. When the first large storm of the wet season rolls in these pollutants are swept downstream, discharge into the river, and eventually make their way to the ocean. Plastics, as we know do not biodegrade but rather continually reduce into microplastics. These microplastics end up in the ecosystem and ultimately create a biomagnification effect within our food chain. Untreated fecal matter entering the river spread harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococcus, and needles present a risk to those looking to safely swim and enjoy the beneficial uses the river provides to the wildlife and our community.

This ongoing problem is not new, as chances are you’ve heard about this issue is one capacity or another. On the bright side, you also may have heard about cleanup programs which aim to solve this problem – at least temporarily. The “Trash Trolls” of Sonoma County, Sally and Keary Sorenson, as well as Chris Brokate of the Clean River Alliance (before his retirement) are examples of volunteers who provide a trash service for people experiencing homelessness along the Russian River.

The idea behind a trash service for homeless individuals is fairly simple. Since many within this population lack the resources or permanent address for a traditional trash service, they are left with not much of a choice other than to litter. I know some residents near the Russian River have bitter feelings towards these individuals because of the littering, but I ask that you put yourself in their shoes for a second. People experiencing homelessness often don’t have a means of transporting large amounts of trash to the dump. Not to mention the fees associated with this. Most of us living in houses and apartments don’t think twice about the ease of simply tying a knot on a trash bag, leaving it in a can, and it disappearing once a week. Homeless trash services aim to bring that convenience to those living along the river and alleviate the environmental concerns associated with these communities.

You may still have your doubts about the effectiveness of a trash service for the homeless population, many of whom suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues. However, I remember when I volunteered with Chris Brokate in 2019 for a school project, he told me that the majority of homeless people when given easy access to trash bags, sharps containers, and a reliable location to leave their trash were happy to bag their own garbage. I saw with my own eyes that once word got out there was a way to dispose of their trash for free, Chris’s signature orange trash bags started showing up at the locations he selected and the trash service’s proof of concept in Ukiah was successful. Often, people want to do the right thing and it is simply a matter of finding a way to make that path as easy as possible for them.

With that said, the noble efforts of Chris Brokate, Sally Sorenson, and Keary Sorenson as well as all other volunteers doing similar duties are not enough. Their work is underfunded and most of the time relies on donations, rarely from grants. Even with all the funding in the world their work still lacks structural support from local governments, and without their constant upkeep the trash services would fizzle out. Local government along the Russian River need to see the pollution issue not as a vague, hard-to-solve homeless issue and instead as a lack of infrastructure issue. Permanent, regularly serviced dumpsters/trash receptacles should be installed in locations all along the river. Signage indicating the purpose of the receptacles as well as trash bag dispensers and sharps containers would also be helpful. These trash receptacles would not only help the homeless population clean up their encampments, but also those swimming and playing by the river. A substantial portion of the garbage left along the riverbanks comes from recreational use and nearby access to trash receptacles has been shown to significantly decrease the amount of litter in that area. A cleaner Russian River is achievable, but reaching that goal requires investing in infrastructure that extends access to trash services rather than simply pointing the finger and expecting change to happen. 

The good news is there are things you can do to help!  Reach out to your local legislators (City Council or Board of Supervisors) and encourage them to support programs that would provide these services.  Make a tax-deductible donation to the Russian River’s “Trash Trolls” through the West County Community Services at www.westcountyservices.org/donate-to-the-trash-trolls or send a check to PO Box 325 Guerneville, CA 95446 and write “Trash Trolls” on your check so your donation is routed to their purposes.  Bring your family, friends or neighbors out to volunteer and help clean up trash along our waterways by contacting Russian Riverkeeper at info@russianriverkeeper.org or (707) 433-1958.

This article was authored by Hendrik Telfer, Engineering staff, City of Ukiah Public Works, on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.
Creek bed

Creek Week 2022 – Ways to Get Involved with Protecting Our Creeks

September marks several dedicated efforts throughout California that signify the importance of clean water and promote cleanups of local waterways. Pollution Prevention Week, Creek Week, and California’s Coastal Cleanup Day all coincide in the third week of September to encourage public participation in keeping our water free of harmful pollutants, with a primary focus on removing trash from local waterways.

Each September cleanup event is organized to bring volunteers together to cleanup trash and debris from beaches, rivers, and creeks, to educate the community on the importance of clean water, and to promote an overall appreciation of our environment, nature and being outside.

Make an impact by participating in Creek Week and Pollution Prevention Week. Here are some of the ways you can make a difference.

  • Join a hosted clean up event. For a list of events, visit www.rrwatershed.org.
  • Pick up litter and trash near your home, neighborhood, or local creek. Trash and litter in the environment can end up in our waterways either directly or through the storm drain system. When it rains, trash can enter the storm drain system, which moves water from paved areas to local waterways. By picking up trash you can help prevent trash from ending up in our local creeks, the Russian River and the ocean. Even if you don’t live near the Russian River or the coast, your efforts will make a difference in protecting our water resource.
  • Attend an educational creek week webinar (Check org/blogregularly for updates).
  • Start a compost bin. Need help getting started? Check out our RRWA article archive org/composting-dont-throw-it-away-compost-itor watch tutorials at https://zerowastesonoma.gov/recycle-dispose/residents/home-composting
  • Discontinue pesticide and herbicide use in your garden with safer alternatives. Our Water, Our World helps residents manage their home and garden pests in a way that helps protect our watershed. Learn more here org/project/our-water-our-world
  • Dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste (HHW) at your local HHW Collection Events https://zerowastesonoma.gov/recycle-dispose/residents/hhw-events
  • Pick up pet waste
  • Pick up leaf litter and yard waste to prevent it from clogging the storm drain
  • When washing your car, don’t allow wash water to enter the storm drain
  • Drop off unused and unwanted medications at a safe medicine disposal location. For location information visit org/project/safe-medicine-disposal

Show us your impact! As a way to show your participation, log cleanup efforts using the Streets to Creeks Action Tracker! Start an Action Tracker campaign to track all your actions to keep pollutants out of our waterways. Login into https://actiontracker.streetstocreeks.org/new-campaign/ to get started.

These are just some ideas how you can help protect the creeks and water quality. For more information on these and other ideas visit the Russian River watershed website at www.rrwatershed.org. Remember, September signifies the designated month to promote the importance of our local rivers and creeks, but these ideas to protect the environment can be implemented all year long.

This article was authored by Colleen Hunt, on behalf of the City of Cotati , on behalf of RRWA. RRWA is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.