Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Liberty County and Fort Stewart, come to see how you can support our community with Keep Liberty Beautiful in staying clean, green, and beautiful. We need your help this weekend, Saturday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

• Hinesville meeting at the Recycling Processing Center parking lot, which is at the corner of Fraser Drive and Highway 84, next to Liberty County DFCS Office, 112 W Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville

• Flemington meeting at the City Hall, 156 Old Sunbury Road, Hinesville, GA 31313

• Midway meeting at the Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 East Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway

• Allenhurst meeting at the Town Hall, 4063 W Oglethorpe Hwy, Allenhurst 

Cleaning up our roads will keep trash out of our storm drains which lead to our waterways. Have you ever wondered what those little drain holes are for in sidewalks and next to streets? Many people often incorrectly assume that they are part of a sewer system. They are storm drains. Water that flows down driveways, roads, and outside areas into a storm drain or ditch can end up directly in nearby creeks, fish and wildlife habitats, downstream recreational areas, and drinking water supplies.

So, anything we leave on the pavement or intentionally dump in a storm drain ends up in our waterways. Stormwater moves this litter along our water channels. Stormwater is water from rain that does not soak into the ground. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas, bare soil, and sloped lawns.

As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, soil, and other pollutants.

Rain washes contaminants from streets, construction sites, and land into storm drain and ditches. Eventually, the polluted stormwater directly into streams and rivers with no treatment, creating stormwater pollution and a host of problems.

Here are a few ways that you can prevent stormwater pollution: 

1. Don’t ever dump anything down storm drains. Clear away leaves and debris, and don’t dump your leaves and grass clippings intentionally in the drain.

2. Wash your car over your lawn or gravel and use biodegradable or phosphate-free soap. You can also use a commercial car wash where wastewater is recycled or treated.

3. Keep your car well-maintained. Fix any fluid leaks promptly and clean up any spills.

4. Plant a rain garden to absorb stormwater runoff. You can also use a rain barrel to help collect runoff from your roof and gutters to be used on your lawn and garden.

5. Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly. Try organic options. 

6. Mow the lawn less often. Minimize runoff by not over-watering your landscape.

Try to keep your lawn at least 3 inches in height to minimize weed growth, reduce the need for watering, and decrease the likelihood of pests.

Leaving the clippings on the lawn can also help block weeds and retain moisture. 

7. Sweep your sidewalks and driveway rather than hosing them down.

 8. Plant native, low-maintenance plants and grasses.

 9. Clean up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash.

10. Consider minimizing impervious surfaces around your home. Use bricks, gravel, cobbles, natural stone, or permeable pavers instead of asphalt or concrete.

11. Keep your septic system well-maintained to prevent leaks.

 It can leach harmful bacteria So, if you are curious about why efforts like the Rivers Alive cleanups on October 22 or why the fantastic Storm Drain Marker Project that the Hinesville Rotary Club did the last four years matter, it is because we all need to protect our waterways from stormwater pollution. So, plan to make a difference by contacting us at Keep Liberty Beautiful, call (912) 8804888, or email klcb@libertycountyga. com. And remember, only rain goes down the storm drain!