What We Can Do To Protect Long Island’s Water Now!
A Follow-Up To The Panel Discussion: The State of Long Island’s Water
Attendees at The State of Long Island’s Water panel discussion on April 24, 2019, an event we co-hosted with the North Country Garden Club and The Nature Conservancy, learned that Long Island’s ground and surface water resources are contaminated. The sources of the contaminants are excess nitrogen from human septic systems, fertilizers and carcinogenic manmade chemicals such as 1,4-Dioxane.
“We treat our aquifer like a dump site,” said Sarah J. Meyland, one of the four panelists that presented that evening. She is a Water Specialist and Associate Professor at New York Institute of Technology. Fish and shellfish species are dying all over Long Island, drinking water is severely impaired, beaches are closing due to bacteria-causing toxic algal blooms and the list goes on. Each year, the problem is getting worse.
Thank you to all the people who attended this important discussion – there were nearly 150 people there including State Senator James Gaughran (District 5) and State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (Assembly District 4). Experts discussed a variety of topics ranging from nitrogen loading to the condition of North Shore bays and harbors to the status of our local drinking water and the roles citizens and government can play in reducing nitrogen loading.
“Water quality is one of the most important if not the most important issue, Long Island faces today,” said Lisa Ott, Land Alliance President & CEO. “Protecting land is critical to protecting Long Island’s drinking and surface waters. If we all work together, we can help reverse the problem.”
The takeaway from the evening was that Long Island faces a huge water quality problem. What can we do to fix it? Our water providers cannot tackle these problems alone. It is up to each of us to do our part. The Land Alliance has utilized a number of resources and compiled a list, many being points addressed at the panel discussion, of what people can do now to help protect Long Island’s precious water resources.
Here’s What You Can Do to Protect Long Island’s Water Now
Have your septic system or cesspool routinely pumped to prevent clogging and overflowing. 60-70 percent of the nitrogen entering our water is from septic systems or cesspools. If you are building a new home or your septic system needs to be replaced, consider new nitrogen reducing technologies. For more information on reducing nitrogen loading visit www.reclaimourwater.info.
If you’re using lawn fertilizers, use organic ones with slow-release nitrogen. Once nitrogen from fertilizers passes the root zone where plants absorb it as food, it continues to seep further into the ground until it reaches our aquifer. Up to 30 percent of nitrogen from fertilizer makes its way into our groundwater. Consider organic slow-release fertilizers like Espoma Organic Lawn Food, which may be purchased from many local garden centers.
Do not purchase or use products containing 1,4-Dioxane, a likely carcinogen found in household, personal care and baby products. According to the Environmental Working Group, 1,4-Dioxane can be found in up to 46 percent of personal care products tested. For a list of products containing 1,4-Dioxane visit https://bit.ly/2V6zwlR. If you would like to check whether a product contains it and it is not on the provided list, visit the EWG’s website www.ewg.org.
Don’t flush over-the-counter or prescription medications down the toilet or drain. These pharmaceuticals, even in small amounts, can pollute our drinking water and negatively af20 fect aquatic wildlife, especially fish populations. Check with your local pharmacy or police station to see whether pharmaceutical drop boxes are available – the Glen Cove Police Department and the Greenvale Pharmacy & Homecare store have them.
If you choose to spray your property for ticks, mosquitos or other insects, consider using all natural or organic products that are safer for you and our aquifer such as garlic barrier for your lawn and Osana soap for your skin. Many insect repellents contain toxic chemicals such as DEET.
Watering your lawn every day is unnecessary according to experts. Ensuring sufficient water quantity is an important part of protecting our water source. The Sustainability Institute at Molloy College recommends watering infrequently, but deeply. Think about installing a water gauge on your sprinkler system that waters only when the ground is dry. For more information on healthy watering, visit Molloy College’s website page on watering https://bit. ly/2Wtjtvf.
Plant native plants and trees on your property. Not only do native plantings protect the genetic integrity of Long Island, they also require less water and nitrogen fertilizer once established. Two great sources for Long Island native plants are the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (www.linpi.org) and Long Island Natives (www.longislandnatives.com)
