Lake Protection

Leaking oil goes from car to street. And is washed from the street into storm drain and into our lakes, ponds and streams. Now imagine the number of cars in the area and you can imagine the amount of oil that finds it way from leaky gaskets into our water. So please, fix oil leaks.

The problem with motor oil.
Oil does not dissolve in water. It lasts a long time and sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers Oil and other petroleum products are toxic to people, wildlife and plants. One pint of oil can make a slick larger than a football field. Oil that leaks from our cars onto roads and driveways is washed into storm drains, and then usually flows directly to a lake or stream. Used motor oil is the largest single source of oil pollution in our lakes, streams and rivers. Americans spill 180 million gallons of used oil each year into our waters. This is 16 times the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska.

What You can do to HELP ! ~ Clean Water Tips.
1. Check for oil leaks from your vehicle regularly and fix them promptly!
2. Never dispose of oil or engine fluids down a storm drain, on the ground or into a ditch. Recycle used motor oil.
3. Use ground cloths or drip pans beneath your vehicle if you have leaks or are doing engine work. Clean up spills!

Clean water is important to all of us.
It's up to all of us to make it happen. In recent years sources of water pollution like industrial wastes from factories have been greatly reduced. Now, more than 60 percent of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers from farms and gardens and failing septic tanks. All these sources add up to a big pollution problem. But each of us can do small things to help clean up our water too-and that adds up to a pollution solution!

Why do we need clean water?
Having clean water is of primary importance for our health and economy. Clean water provides recreation, commercial opportunities, fish habitat, drinking water and adds beauty to our landscape. All of us benefit from clean water-and all of us have a role in getting and keeping our lakes, rivers, marine and ground waters clean.

This information is brought to you by the Department of Environmental Protection.

To find more ways of how you can help, check out the:
EPA’s Citizen Action Page -- http://www.epa.gov/ow/citizen/thingstodo.html
EPA’s NPS Do’s and Don’ts -- http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/nps/dosdont.html