Do you live in a watershed?

Yes! We all live in a watershed. The USGS defines a watershed as an "area of land where all the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes into the same place." 
All the water in the city basically ends up in Lake Superior, but do you know where it goes before then? Do you know the name of the stream nearest you? The rain that falls here at the wastewater treatment plant drain directly to Superior Bay of Lake Superior. If you live more inland, chances are your rain water flows into a storm drain connected to a stream before reaching the lake. Here are a couple of resources to determine the stream nearest you:
Streams of Superior (city website)
Lake Superior Streams (Info on streams from Duluth-Superior area)

We are constantly promoting "only rain down the drain" because storm sewers do NOT go through a treatment process. Do you have a storm drain by your home? Think about all the stuff that snowmelt and rain water flushes from your yard into the drain:

• Road salt
• Dog poop that never got picked up
• Lawn fertilizers and other chemicals
• Grass clippings and fallen leaves
• Dirty washwater from washing your car at home

All of these will find its way to pollute our lake. The map above is a bit hard to read, but all the boxed red text shows our impaired waters due to pollution.

Keeping Lake Superior Blue Is Up To YOU!!

Plants for Indoor Air Quality!

We spend 90% of our time indoors. According to the EPA, indoor pollutants may be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels. Many traditional cleaning products, paints, building materials, and office equipment such as printers and markers emit fumes that may have adverse health effects. We previously blogged about "freeing" your home of harmful toxins. Another great way to reduce toxins is by adding plants into your home.

In the late 1980s, NASA conducted a study of how houseplants could improve indoor air quality. Many newer homes are designed for energy efficiency, thus are often tightly sealed. This reduces energy loss, but also traps toxic chemicals in the air. Here is how houseplants can come to the rescue. Many houseplants come from tropical environments with thick canopies and limited light levels. Thus these plants evolved to become very efficient at capturing light and processing gases.

Here are some varieties that are best at filtering:
English ivy
Spider plant
Peace lily
Pothos                                                                
Snake plant (Mother-in-law tongue)
Philodendron
Dracaena
Ficus

These plants not only produce oxygen and water vapor, but they absorb carbon dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and/or trichloroethylene (chemicals commonly found in building materials and cleaning supplies).

On a side note . . . has your home ever been tested for radon? Radon is an odorles, tastelss, invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil and water. Radon moves from the ground into homes where it is then trapped.  It is the second leading cause of lung caner and the EPA recommend that all homes be tested (radon disclosure required for MN home sellers). Test kits can be found at hardware stores.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd!

Although it certainly hasn’t felt like April in Superior lately, Earth Day (April 22^nd) is fast approaching.  Earth Day was founded in the U.S. in 1970 as a day for teaching about the environment by former Wisconsin Governor and US Senator Gaylord Nelson.  The Earth Day Network organizes Earth Day each year. 

If you are interested in doing something for Earth Day, you can let the world know about your commitment on the Earth Day Network’s website (here http://act.earthday.org/).  We also have some tips for things you can do to celebrate the Earth this April here:

1.       Plant a tree.  Trees filter air pollutants, decrease heating/cooling needed in your home, sequester carbon, create habitat for animals and insects, and reduce stormwater runoff, among many other things.

2.       Install a rain barrel.  Rain barrels provide water for lawns/gardens, reduce stormwater runoff, and lower demand on municipal water supplies.  If you’re interested, we’re selling rain barrels (at cost with tax included) through May 24^th.  Visit www.ci.superior.wi.us/sale for an order form and more information.

3.       Replace appliances and fixtures with water and energy efficient models.  When appliances and fixtures need to be replaced, choose models that will save water and/or energy; it will also save you money.

4.       Clean up your neighborhood.  Pick up dog poop from your yard.  Clean up litter, leaves and sticks from the storm drains on your street.  When it rains, all of these things can be washed into storm drains, leading to water pollution down the pipe. 

5.       Plant a rain garden.  This is a little more time intensive than the other suggestions, but planting deep-rooted native plants in a depression in your yard can be visually appealing and will also reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution.

6.       Get inside! Of the Superior Public Library, that is.  You can see artwork by the 5^th and 6^th graders who won our “Water is Art” contest beginning April 22nd.  You can also learn more about the Earth by checking out a book; no matter what aspect of the Earth you’re interested in, there are books to cover it!

7.       Get outside! What better way is there to celebrate the Earth than to spend some time outside of our built environment? Spending time in the woods or on the water will remind you just how much you love living in such a beautiful place.  Scientists have found that spending time in nature is also good for your health; it can increase immune system function, lower your pulse, lower blood pressure, and decrease stress.                                

There are so many other things that you can do to celebrate Earth Day!  Don't forget to take a little time to love the Earth this April 22nd.  It'll do you and the Earth good!
 

Rain Gardens/Low Impact Development Webinar TODAY

The fifth installment in the Environmental Matters Webinar Series, "Native Plants to the Rescue", is today at 12:00 PM.  Register to attend at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/831658063

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards

Flood Control Program webinar TODAY

Has your basement flooded? Do you own your home? 

If you answered yes to both of these questions, or you previously participated in the City's Backwater Valve Programs, check out the Flood Control Program webinar TODAY.

The purposes of the flood control program is to reduce inflow and infiltration entering the sanitary and combined sewer system through private plumbing and to reduce discharges of untreated domestic wastewater and sanitary sewage to the environment.

We will have Curt Sander-Berg, Engineering Technician/Program Manager and Inspector, presenting the information and available for your questions.

Sign up HERE!

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards

Coming Soon to a Computer Monitor Near You! Exciting News and Free Stuff!

Here in the Environmental Services Division, talking to people about stormwater isn’t just a hobby of ours: it’s required!  We have a permit through the DNR that requires us to talk to people in the city about stormwater pollution and how to reduce it (although we would probably do it even without the permit).  Like every other organization, we’re constantly looking for new ways to bring our information to you…hence this blog.  Starting in February, we have a new way of communicating with you about environmental topics that affect you.  We’re starting a bimonthly webinar series. 



Webinars are like seminars you
can attend in your slippers.

If you’re not familiar with webinars, they are similar to a seminar.  A webinar is a seminar/presentation that is held over the internet.  Someone (that’s us) presents on a topic and participants (that’s you) watch and listen live.  We will have guest speakers who are experts or can offer different insights on our topics.  Some of the topics we plan to cover include: winter salt application, pharmaceutical disposal, the importance of trees in stormwater management, rain gardens, etc.  Every webinar will also be recorded and posted to our website upon completion so you can watch them later if you can’t make the live presentation.  If you have any suggestions for topics, let us know at edwardsj@ci.superior.wi.us. 

To register for a webinar, visit our website at here.  You can click the link that is listed under each upcoming webinar; more will be posted throughout the year.  You will have to fill out a short form, and then you’ll receive an email confirmation.  On the day of the webinar, you can click the link in your email (or in one of the reminder emails) and voila! you’re attending our webinar.  There is also a tab at the top of this blog where you’ll find more webinar information and the registration links.

In addition to learning more about water and the environment, for every webinar you attend live (if you are a City of Superior resident) between now and June 1^st, you will receive one entry into a drawing for a free rain barrel.  The drawing will take place in the beginning of June. 

For more information, please visit our website (listed above) or give us a call at 715-394-0392.  We look forward to your participation! 

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards