LIVING ON KARST
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Karst and Groundwater Protection 2 | Page
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Defining Pollution 8 | |||
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Page 3 Current Page Fertilizers and Nutrients 15 | Page
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You Have a Cave on Your Property Helpful hints for the Cave Landowner
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• Nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, phosphate, and sulfur compounds derived from fertilizers and animal wastes, play a vital role in agriculture. Large amounts are used in residential areas as well. Over the years, fertilizers have contributed to increased farm production and more attractive lawns. If not managed carefully, however, commercial fertilizer and livestock manure are potential sources of nitrate/nitrogen in groundwater. Nitrate levels above federal and state drinking |
water
standards have been found in the majority of wells and springs tested in
some karst areas.
• Excessive nutrients in drinking water can pose a health
risk to young children as well as young livestock. Increased levels of
nutrients can also add to water pollution by causing an overgrowth of
algae and other vegetation, leading to a loss of beneficial oxygen in
aquatic habitats and water supplies. | |||
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Testing
the Soil
• The first step before adding nutrients or
fertilizer to your lawn, trees, or fields is to have a sample of your soil
tested by the Agricultural Extension Service. This test will tell you
which nutrients are already in the soil. You also should get an estimate
of the soil thickness or depth to bedrock across the site by using a soil
probe or similar device.
When mowing,
cut 1/3 of the height of the grass blade. Leave clippings on the yard as a
natural fertilizer and mulch. | ||||
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•
Improperly managed fertilizers can release nutrients into groundwater
after a leak, spill, or over-application. Both surface waters and
groundwater are less likely to be contaminated if appropriate fertilizer
management and handling procedures are followed.
BMPs - Best Management
Practices should be the basis for determining fertilizer and nutrient
practices. | ||||
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BMPs for
Lawns and Gardens
• Use
yard compost as a natural fertilizer
• Use fertilizer only when necessary
• Follow the directions on the fertilizer label.
• Select the correct fertilizer based on your soil test
• Apply the correct amount - too much can damage fragile
plant roots and groundwater.
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• Apply
the fertilizer at the proper stage in the plant's life cycle
BMPs for
Agricultural Enterprises
• Apply
fertilizer based on realistic yield or growth expectations of the crop to
be grown.
• Monitor nutrient levels of soil and plant tissue, as
well as irrigation water, and springs or well water.
• Determine and credit the contribution of non-commercial
fertilizer nutrients from legumes, manure, and compost.
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Identify the appropriate timing and application methods for fertilizer to
reduce runoff and leaching losses.
• Properly calibrate and operate fertilizer application
equipment.
• Evaluate field limitations based on environmental
hazards such as sinkholes, highly erodible soils, shallow aquifers,
shallow depth to bedrock, and nearby surface waters. |
• Consider soil moisture conditions, particularly if applying liquid fertilizer through an irrigation system (fertigation), and closely watch impending weather conditions. | |||
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Do You Know? • To most of us, septic systems are " out-of-sight" and "out-of-mind." Homeowners do not often realize that proper operation and maintenance of septic systems can have a significant impact on how well the systems work and how long they last. In most communities, septic system maintenance is the sole responsibility of the homeowner. |
Failing Septic Systems • When a septic system fails, inadequately treated sewage can reach the groundwater. Bacteria and viruses from human waste can cause serious diseases including dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid fever. Many outbreaks of these and other diseases have been traced back to contaminated drinking | |||
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water.
Nitrate and phosphate from domestic wastewater can cause excessive algae
growth in springs and streams and impair aquatic life. Nitrate is also the
cause of methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome, a condition that
prevents the normal uptake of oxygen in the blood of young babies.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other
researchers have identified failing septic systems as a major source of
groundwater pollution in karst areas. Many of these failures are
attributed to the presence of karst bedrock, old systems with
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primitive
designs, and poor maintenance. The health of your septic system - and your
neighbor's - is an important concern for any community seeking to protect
groundwater quality, prevent expensive surface damage, and maintain
property values.
Septic Systems in Karst Areas
• Conventional septic systems should not be located near
sinkholes, caves, or springs. Thin soils, sloping topography, and unstable
foundations are common karstland features that affect the performance of
on-site wastewater systems. | |||
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• Regulating lot sizes and housing densities do not necessarily guarantee the protection of karst wells and springs from contamination. Ensuring that septic systems in a given watershed are functioning properly is possible with regular maintenance practiced community wide. This can be accomplished through education, incentives, or local ordinances. | ||
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• Have your tank inspected annually and pumped out every 3 to 5 years by a licensed, professional septic contractor. This is probably the single most important and least costly thing you can do to protect your system. Regular inspections and pumping prevents solids build-up in the tank from clogging distribution lines. Remember: the earlier cracks, leaks, and clogs are detected and repaired, the less potential exists for water supply and karst |
resource
pollution.
• Most engineers and sanitation professionals believe
that commercial septic system additives are, at best, useless, and at
worst, potentially harmful to a system. Under suitable conditions, septic
systems naturally provide for the safe treatment and disposal of household
wastewater. Avoid dumping hazardous chemicals, which would | |||
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include
household cleaners, down the drain. Even small amounts of paint, solvents,
waste oil, pesticides and other compounds can kill the beneficial bacteria
that break down wastes, and can contaminate groundwater.
• It is important to protect your septic system from
damage. Don't plant anything but grass near your septic systems. Roots
from shrubs and trees can damage the tank and lines, and/or become
conduits for partially treated sewage to flow downward to the water table.
Prevent vehicles from parking on, or driving across, any part of the
system |
to
protect tank connections and plastic or tile distribution lines.
• Divert other sources of water, like roof drains and
street runoff, away from the septic field. Excess surface water can erode
soil from around and beneath the tank and lines, resulting in subsidence
and septic system failure.
Several
alternative, comparably priced designs are available that improve
wastewater treatment by:
• Increasing
the contact time between wastewater and soils.
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Equalizing the dispersion of wastewater throughout the drain field (for
less channeling).
• Maximizing the natural adsorption and filtration
properties of the soil.
Work with
the local health department and extension service to select the best
system for your site. | ||
18
& 19 Menu
The Forest
Landowner and Water Quality
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As
stewards of the nation's forest lands and the waters flowing from them,
forest landowners have a special responsibility to protect our natural
resources.
• The
Federal Clean Water Act of 1987 requires that proper steps be taken to
prevent pollution. Pollution resulting from soil erosion can be controlled
by using Best Management Practices (BMPs). |
Best
Management Practices, (BMPs) are any practical, and usually inexpensive,
measures used to reduce water pollution.
• Water
originating from undisturbed forest land is virtually unpolluted. Land
disturbing activities during harvesting and other forestry practices can
cause pollution if BMPs are not used. Most states do not
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regulate
timber harvests on private land; therefore, it is up to the landowner to
ensure that BMPs are properly installed and maintained.
• BMPs and pre-harvest planning are especially important
in karst terrains. For specific information on constructing and
maintaining BMPs, refer to the LOGGERS BMP HANDBOOK available from your
state forestry departments. |
BMPs for
Timber Harvesting
• Pre-Harvesting Planning should be done to
determine which BMPs are needed. Proper location and construction of
roads, skid trails, and log landings will prevent most erosion problems.
Consult a qualified professional who understands karst. The forestry
consultant should prepare a Forest Management Plan in detail before work
begins, which will describe any recommended BMPs. | |||
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• Roads,
Skid Trails, and Landings should be located away from
streams, springs, and karst drainage ways. Water should be diverted off
roads by turn-out ditches, broad-base dips, culvert pipes, or other
accepted practices.
• Stream
Crossings should be made with
temporary bridges or culvert pipes. Fords are sometimes acceptable if the
stream bottom is rock and the banks are stable.
• Stream
Side or Spring Management Zone (SMZ) is an unharvested area a minimum of 50 feet wide on each side
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of any
stream channel or spring. Across the rest of the site, timber should be
selectively harvested in a way that will leave the forest floor
undisturbed. The SMZ will filter out most sediment and nutrient runoff
from disturbed areas and protect stream or spring quality. The buffer zone
also will prevent soil compaction by heavy equipment which can reduce
infiltration and groundwater recharge.
• Wildlife
Benefits. Stream side or
spring management zones protect water quality and temperature important to
fish and aquatic life. The buffers also preserve travel lanes
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and
habitat diversity important to all wildlife. Roads and trails can be
seeded with native plant species which provide wildlife food and cover.
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Stabilizing Disturbed Areas immediately after the cutting is
complete will reduce erosion which could continue for several years. Any
bare soil with a slope greater than 5 percent or which is subject to
erosion should be limed, fertilized, seeded, and covered to prevent soil
from washing away. Native plants that also enhance wildlife habitat should
be selected.
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• Horse
Logging is becoming more popular with landowners as a
low-impact method of selectively harvesting timber on steep or sensitive
terrains. Small horse logging businesses exist in many rural areas. Call
your local Department of Forestry or small business development center for
more information.
Maintaining
Best Management Practices
• Best
Management Practices can easily be destroyed if they are not protected and
maintained until the disturbed land has healed. After loggers have left
the site, | |||
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the
landowner is usually responsible for maintaining BMPs. Cost-share programs
are available to help pay a portion of the cost of most reforestation and
restoration work.
• Traffic should be restricted in the logged area,
especially during wet weather. Old haul roads should be blocked to prevent
unauthorized access by 4-wheelers, but maintained so that water can drain
from the road surface. The drainage ditches and culverts should be kept
open. Berms, silt |
fences,
ponds, and other structures to slow water flow should be checked and
repaired regularly.
• Waste wood debris, or slash, left on the site will also
catch sediment and slow runoff velocity. Slash should not be deposited or
dumped into cave entrances or sinkholes; however, as this can damage
habitat, recreational values, water quality, and normal karst drainage
processes.
For further information, contact your state Department of
Forestry. | |||
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Recycling
• Many household wastes can be recycled.
Aluminum cans and foil, glass, paper, scrap metal, and old appliances can
all be recycled. These items can be recycled at recycling centers. Another
option is to give items to be recycled to charitable organizations which
often collect recyclables to raise funds. |
Some
Waste Requires Special Management
• Used Oil
Approximately 300 million gallons of used oil are produced each year by
people changing their own motor oil. Improper disposal of used oil wastes
valuable energy and can be hazardous to public health and the environment.
On surface water, one pint of oil can spread into a one-acre slick,
suffocate plants and wildlife, and contaminate drinking water.
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Oil
dumped on the ground into sinkholes or into landfills may pollute
surrounding wells and springs.
Recycling is by far the safest and most economical method
for disposing of used oil. Simply drain your oil into a closeable
container and take it to a local service station or oil collection center.
Used oil is collected from service stations and garages by licensed oil
processors and refined for reuse as an economical industrial fuel.
• Leaves and Yard Waste - In the fall and
spring, a significant portion of |
municipal
solid waste is made up of leaves and yard waste. When this material is
composted, or allowed to decompose naturally, it produces a valuable soil
conditioner and conserves landfill space.
Hazardous Household Wastes
• Many common household consumer products
have characteristics which make them "hazardous," meaning they are
poisonous, flammable, explosive, or corrosive. Such products as
pesticides, wood stains, polishes, paint thinners and strippers,
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antifreeze, and batteries have been linked to serious health and
environmental problems.
• What can we do with these materials? First of all, each of us must accept responsibility for the safe
use and disposal of household products. We can reduce the quantity of
hazardous chemicals we use by becoming informed consumers.
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• Read the label
carefully before purchasing the material.
• Buy only what is needed for the job.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
• Use up the product or give it to someone who can. | |||
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• Communities across the country have successfully organized "Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days." Residents bring unused products to a central location where specially trained workers separate the recyclables and carefully pack the non-recyclables. A licensed hazardous waste hauler transports the materials to an appropriate disposal facility. | ||
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Conservation can be defined as: 1. the care and
protection of natural resources; 2. The act of keeping from being damaged,
lost, or wasted.
Clean water may be cheap and plentiful now, however, it
may not be that way in the future. This valuable resource must be
conserved and protected |
Water
conservation can lead to substantial savings in sewer, energy, and water
bills. For homeowners with septic systems, conserving water reduces wear
and tear on the system, and less energy is required for pumping well
water.
The amount of water now available on the planet earth is
basically the same as it has been for millions of years. | |||
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The
average household uses 250 gallons of this water every day. Consumption
could be decreased by 15-20% without major discomfort or expense.
Conservative water use habits should be encouraged and promoted throughout
your watershed.
Facts about the Earth's Water
• Approximately 80% of the earth's surface
is covered with water
• Only 1% of the earth's water is usable fresh water. The
remainder is salt water (97%) and water frozen in glaciers. (2%)
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• Much of
the earth's fresh water is unusable due to pollution.
• Nature recycles water in an endless cycle.
• Ground water is being used more quickly than ground
water is recharged
• Water exists on earth in finite quantities. When it is
polluted or wasted, "new" water to replenish our supplies cannot be
created. | |||
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Making a
Difference in the Community
• Encourage local government to make water
system and water quality improvements a high priority.
• Encourage environmentally compatible development over
wasteful land uses in the community.
• Learn to recognize existing and potential water quality
problems in streams and springs.
• Bring water quality problems to the attention of the
proper government officials |
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Participate in a stream or sinkhole cleanup program.
Making a Difference at Home
• Use low-flow faucets and shower heads,
reduced-flow toilet flushing equipment, and water saving appliances.
• Check for water leaks. If the water meter dial moves
while no water is being used, there is a leak.
• Take short showers instead of full-tub baths. Avoid
letting faucets run unnecessarily. | |||
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• Fully
load dish and clothes washers.
• Wash cars only when necessary. Use a bucket and a spray
nozzle to save water.
• Go to a commercial car wash that uses water efficiently
and disposes of runoff properly.
• Water lawns during the coolest part of the day to avoid
evaporation. Do not over-water.
• Use slow watering techniques such as trickle irrigation
or a soaker hose. | ||
Title page Living on Karst