WAter shapes our land, water supports all life, water needs protected

Drinking water comes from streams, rivers lakes and ground water (aquifers). Protecting these water sources is key to sustaining safe drinking water supplies. ​ When the water in our rivers, lakes and oceans becomes polluted, it endangers wildlife and people. Pollution makes our drinking water unsafe and threatens the waters where we enjoy swimming, fishing and recreational activities. For additional "Water Topics", EPA research supports water protection efforts under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

THOMAS C. SPELLMIRE WATER CONSERVATION TRAILER

http://www.warrenswcd.com/water-trailer.html

Protect Sources of Drinking Water 

​Roles in Source Water Protection
Protecting source water is everyone's responsibility. Everyone has a role, including:

• EPA and other federal agencies
• States
• Local governments
• Water utilities
• Businesses and industries
• Non-governmental organizations
• Individuals

www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection#self

​"They're our streams. Let's Keep them clean!" ​

Install a Rain Barrel:  Store rainwater from rooftops that can be used on lawns and gardens.  Stormwater includes rainwater that runs off hard surfaces and carries pollution to our streams.

​Individuals can further take action to protect their water, for example by:

• Reduce uses of pesticides around the home or businesses
• Ensure that septic systems are property maintained:  Proper septic system maintenance is particularly important for people who rely on private wells for their drinking water.
• Plant "Native" - Create a "Rain Garden" ​http://www.warrenswcd.com/backyard-conservation.html
• Organize or participate in stream clean-up efforts www.warrenswcd.com/stream-clean-ups.html or http://www.lmriverkleeners.org/index.html
• Volunteer to tag Storm Drains in your community:  http://www.warrenswcd.com/volunteer-opportunities.html
• Research the main types of trash (litter) in a stream and initiate ideas to reduce trash from entering a stream in the first place.
• Start a campaign to get more families "outdoors" with instituting at least 10 great ways to protect our local streams http://mylittlemiami.org/about-us/
• Research what leads to flash flooding, stream bank erosion or what generally damages a stream or river  http://www.warrenswcd.com/soils--erosion-assistance.html
• Become involved in Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) and test the water quality near your home or school  http://www.warrenswcd.com/water-quality-monitoring.html
• Become involved in local source water protection efforts:  Research the difference between source point and non-source pollution; integrate local governing bodies and other organizations for the purposes of sharing resources and improving the quality of our local streams

Water quality is commonly determined by sampling
​a stream for macroinvertebrates. ​

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Key

Dichotomous Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River

key_to_macroinvertebrate_life_in_the_river.pdf
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The Little Miami River watershed is located in southwestern Ohio. It drains a total of 1,758 square miles and flows through all or part of 11 counties. Major municipalities partially or fully in the watershed include Xenia, Beavercreek, Wilmington, and Cincinnati and some of its suburbs.  See further Ohio EPA studies on the Little Miami River:
​http://epa.ohio.gov/dsw/tmdl/ LittleMiamiRiver.aspx
http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/35/tmdl/Lower_LMR_Factsheet.pdf

USGS Water Resources - Streamflow

Exploring Watershed Geography
USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) provides science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods; the water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources we rely on; the health of our ecosystems and environment; and the impacts of climate and land-use change. Their scientists develop new methods and tools to supply timely, relevant, and useful information about the Earth and its processes.  www.usgs.gov/

Native Ohio Tree Species Suitable for Planting within 1,000 Feet
​of State Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers
​https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/19e2af_934d025960a743c6bb2987ae13cbccbe.pdf

​The most effective way to counter this increase in impervious surface is to protect and restore the riparian corridor or riparian buffer.  Trees and wetlands play an important role in slowing the flow of water and filtering out the impurities prior to the run off entering the river. www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/what-you-can-do-protect-source-water

Meet Fred's Friend, Miranda! 

http://www.warrenswcd.com/classroom-programs.html