WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS
Trailblazing the Way to Water Pollution Prevention
June 6th is National Trails Day, a day of service for hometown trails and the people who love them! San Diego County has 360 miles of diverse hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Regardless of how you use these trails, they all need upkeep – not only to preserve their beauty and maintain the safety and recreational enjoyment of those using them, but also to protect our waterways. Pollutants from trash and pet waste found along trails can enter our storm drain system through rainfall runoff and flow into local creeks, rivers, and eventually the ocean without treatment. Additionally, invasive species found along trails can crowd out native plants, cause soil erosion, and lead to soil and sediment pollution in local waterways. Here are some ways you can help to protect our water quality and enjoy your trail experience at the same time.
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Prevent trail pollution by removing trash and pet waste:
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Trash and litter are some of the most common pollutants found in parks. The main types of litter are cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and food-related waste such as wrappers, containers, cups, and lids. With 80% of water pollution beginning inland and flowing downstream through our storm drain system into our local waterways and ocean, it’s critical to be mindful of the impact of trail trash on our water quality. Cigarette butts,which contain nonbiodegradable plastic filters and other harmful toxins, can take anywhere from 18 months to 10 years to decompose depending on conditions. Single-use plastics never go away and break down into microplastics that harm our environment. Collect any trash that you’ve brought along with you or found on a trail, and throw it away in closed trash bins or receptacles located along trails or at trailheads. If no bins are provided, be sure to carry your trash out with you. Plan ahead for your trail nourishment by using as few disposable products as possible, and opt for reusable containers, bottles, and bags.
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Pet waste left along trails can impact water quality. When rainwater runs over the ground, it picks up bacteria from pet waste and carries it through our watersheds into our local waterways. Pet waste contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can contaminate our trails, reach our waterways, and threaten wildlife and human health. Pick up after your pet – carry pet waste bags when walking your pet, bag the waste, and dispose of bagged waste in a trash bin, dumpster, or trail receptacle.
Prevent water pollution by restoring trail habitats: One of the key contributors to poor water quality commonly found along trails are invasive plants that can crowd out native plants. Without native plants that turn phosphorus and nitrogen into other beneficial organic forms, these nutrients can build up in the water impacting water quality, causing toxic algae blooms and ultimately harming aquatic life and even human health. Due to their shallow roots that allow soil to wash into streams and other waterbodies when it rains, invasive species further degrade water quality by increasing runoff and soil erosion, another key water pollutant. Help restore trails and remove invasive species on a regular basis by working with local trail restoration advocates such as the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, San Diego Canyonlands, San Diego River Park Foundation and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Pledge to leave trails better than you found them…and better for future generations. Follow the Leave No Trace principles, especially “pack it in, pack it out” waste disposal. And remember…trails don’t maintain themselves. Please help the County of San Diego and give back to the trails you love by being a trail steward to help preserve the beauty of our trails and waterways!
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