Muskoka Watershed Council

CLEAN AND GREEN 13

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13

#3 Inspect my septic tank every two to three years and have it pumped regularly

Given the number of shoreline residences in Muskoka (more than 24,000) and the associated wastes, it's not surprising that the first "Clean & Green 13" action that you can take around your house or cottage has to do with your septic system.

Often-overlooked aspects of home life, septic systems have the potential to be major factors influencing the condition and quality of our lakes and rivers. From the findings of the septic system inspections being carried out by the different towns and townships, there is reason to be concerned.

The way you treat your septic system will influence how long the system lasts and how well it will function. The periodic expenses you incur over the years to have your system checked and pumped out are nothing compared to the expense of replacing a system damaged by years of neglect.

How your septic system works
In simplified terms, your septic system consists of a tank, a network of pipes and billions of microscopic organisms. The tank treats sewage by letting the heavy solid materials settle and allowing time for lighter materials (called scum) to float to the top. The partially treated wastewater then flows into perforated pipes (the leaching bed) where it filters into the ground and is further treated. Bacteria and microorganisms in the soil digest and remove impurities such as suspended solids, organic chemicals, viruses and bacteria. The treated wastewater eventually finds its way to the groundwater.

Here are many simple things that you can do to ensure that your septic system functions properly:

• Ensure your tank is inspected every two to three years by a qualified person and is pumped out every three to five years depending on use. Summer or early fall is the best time for this.
• Conserve water and reduce waste flow into your system - too much water will overload your septic system and cause wastewater to be released untreated.
• Reduce your use of phosphate-based detergents and cleaners, which can impair water quality and fish habitat.
• Avoid construction and activities in the area over your leaching bed - extra weight can crush the pipes or compact the soil.
• Don't plant trees and shrubs on top of your leaching bed - the roots can damage your pipes. Instead, plant a wildflower meadow that can help filter wastewater and absorb excess nutrients.
• Minimize grass watering around the leaching bed area - extra water can reduce the bed's ability to absorb and treat wastewater from the buildings.
• Don't pour out or flush harmful chemicals and substances into your system as they can kill beneficial bacteria and render your system useless.

When things go wrong with your system
There are several signs that you can look for that tell you your septic system may not be functioning properly. The ground over your leaching bed may be wet and spongy or the grass may be unnaturally lush and green. You may notice unpleasant odors in your house or drinking water, or your toilets and drains run more slowly than usual. You may notice significant algae growth in or around nearby lakes and streams, or there may be high levels of nitrates, bacteria or other contaminants in your well water.

Any one of these signs is cause for concern. A malfunctioning septic system can result in harm to the natural environment or public health by polluting lakes or contaminating drinking water supplies.

If you would like to have your septic system inspected, contact you local town or township office for information about their septic system inspection program. If you need to upgrade or replace your system, look for a licensed installer in the yellow pages or ask your township to recommend some names.

#4 Use phosphate-free soaps and alternative cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar

Many of the cleaning products we use at home and often pour down our drains are toxic to us and to those downstream from us. Sewage treatment cannot remove all of these harmful chemicals before releasing them into the environment.

Phosphates and nutrient enrichment
Phosphorous and nitrogen are nutrients that do not get treated in our septic systems or waste treatment facilities. They are found in fertilizers and laundry detergents, and when they find their way into our lakes and streams, they can cause major problems.

One example of this is eutrophication - a natural process by which a lake turns into a bog and eventually into land. Under ordinary circumstances, this process takes decades. However, high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in our lakes accelerate the eutrophication process by enriching the water with nutrients, causing aquatic plants and algae to bloom.

As this plant growth explodes, it chokes off the oxygen supply normally shared with other organisms living in the water. When the plants die, their decomposition uses up even more oxygen. As a result, fish suffocate and die, and bacterial activity decreases.

Such was the case in Lake Erie in the late 1960s. The phosphates present in laundry detergents was the main cause, and when a law was passed in 1972 to cut the phosphate content in these detergents by about 90%, the lake made a remarkable recovery. This situation can be avoided in Muskoka if we choose to use products that do not contain nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen.

Hazardous household cleaning products
Cleaning products are among the most toxic substances that can be found in our homes. It is estimated that Canadians pour 3 million pounds of household cleaners down the drain everyday. That adds up to more than a billion pounds a year - and a major problem for our environment.

When purchasing commercial cleaners, there are several things to keep in mind. Look for biodegradable cleaners and cleaners that have the federal government's Environmental Choice EcoLogo. Buy only those environmentally hazardous products you really need, and buy them in quantities you will be able to completely use up. If you do have leftovers, dispose of them properly and promptly.

Many people choose to make their own non-toxic household cleaners out of products found in their kitchen. Here are some of the most common ingredients and what their properties are.

• Baking Soda: An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.
• Borax: A natural mineral that is an alternative to bleach. It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap.
• Castile and Vegetable Oil-based Soaps: Cleans everything.
• Cornstarch: Starches clothing and absorbs oil and grease.
• Lemon Juice: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing. It can be used as a bleach alternative.
• Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes stains and reduces microbial contamination.

Combinations of these and other products will allow you to achieve better results than just using one. Products such as baking soda or borax are effective soil removers, while other products such as vinegar are effective at reducing microbial contamination. Therefore, a solution containing baking soda or borax and vinegar makes an effective all-purpose cleaner. There are other such natural alternatives for almost everything you need to clean.

However, when mixing your own cleaning solutions, it is important to remember to never mix chlorine bleach with other chemicals, especially ammonia, as poisonous gases are formed.

Making the switch to natural, less toxic household cleaners not only benefits our watershed, but can also lead to improved indoor air quality in your home, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience, and lower costs. So why not try it for a while?

Few people consider the harm they are doing to the environment and drinking water supplies by pouring leftover hazardous wastes down their drain. Many of the products found in your kitchen, garage, bathroom, or workshop are classified as hazardous because they can poison, corrode, explode, or burst into flames if not handled properly.

Proper household hazardous waste management practices include using non-hazardous alternative products; purchasing hazardous products only in amounts that you will need and use up; participating in waste exchange programs; recycling and composting; and preparing household hazardous waste products for landfilling.

The most common household hazardous wastes that present disposal problems are motor oil, paint, pesticides, and batteries. These materials can poison our water if they are not used correctly, stored carefully, and disposed of properly. It is important to read the label, follow all of the directions, and never mix products together as this can create a violent reaction.

If you do need to dispose of excess hazardous material, there are a few things you can do to prepare it for the landfill and decrease the chance for contamination.

When disposing of used motor oil, drain the oil through a funnel into a clean container that can be tightly sealed. Then take the container to a local used oil collection site. Many service stations that do oil changes will accept used motor oil for recycling.

When discarding paint, you should solidify it with an absorbent material such as kitty litter or sawdust and then allow it to dry. It should then be double wrapped in plastic and taken to a hazardous waste depot site. An alternative to discarding extra paint is to donate it to a youth, community or service group that can make further use of it.

Aerosol cans should be empty before taking them to a hazardous waste depot site. When discarding batteries, check to see if local retailers have recycling programs in their stores. If not, take your used batteries to the hazardous waste depot.

The District of Muskoka operates a Household Hazardous Waste Program that operates from May through to October. Each Municipal Depot Site is open one day every two weeks and is open two Saturdays over the summer months. All depot sites are open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and you can contact your local town or township office to find out the schedule for your area. This information is also available on the District of Muskoka website at www.muskoka.on.ca/hazardous.htm.

Nearly all households generate hazardous wastes. It is our responsibility to ensure that these wastes do not contaminate our watershed and groundwater resources. The best way to accomplish this is to make use of the hazardous waste disposal programs already in place in Muskoka to safely dispose of your unwanted and outdated hazardous materials.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you to read that Canadians produce more garbage per person than just about any other country in the world. In fact, it is estimated that the average person in Ontario generates a whole tonne of trash a year!

In Muskoka, this garbage is taken to dumps and landfills where it can contribute to various environmental problems such as atmospheric pollution in the form of greenhouse gases, leaching into groundwater and surface water, and poor water quality.

So why should you try to reduce your household garbage to one bag per week? Because our landfills are getting full. And when a landfill is full, a new one needs to be made. How are you going to feel when the new landfill is in your backyard? Are you going to think then that you did enough to reduce your garbage output?

Even though almost 85% of Canadians recycle, we still need to do more. We are fortunate in Muskoka to have a comprehensive recycling program. As much as 80% of everyday waste materials can be recycled, and much of what is not recyclable can be composted. For more information on what you can and cannot recycle, visit the District of Muskoka website at www.muskoka.on.ca/recycle.

The Four R's
We all need to practice the four R's: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. And it should be in that order because it's better to reduce wastes at the source when possible.

We should work on reducing the number and amount of goods we consume. Then, we need to see if waste materials can be reused. The next step is to recycle and compost as much as possible. We then need to recover energy and valuable materials from waste that is properly burned or treated.

Buying products with recycled materials in them, avoiding over-packaged items (such as individually wrapped hot dogs) and using your own cloth bags when shopping are just some of the ways we can reduce waste.

The Benefits of Composting
Like recycling, composting can also prevent a significant amount of waste from going to the landfill. As an added bonus, composting also produces a valuable soil amendment that can improve the texture and fertility of your soil.

Whether you choose to build or buy a composter, there are a few features you should look for. Your composter should have a lid that protects the pile from rain and snow and allows you to control how much moisture gets in. It should have holes or vents to allow air circulation, as well as a means of removing the final product.

You should place your composter in a well-drained area and where it is convenient to use. You want to locate it where it can get as much sun as possible in order to have high microbial activity.

The finished product of your composting efforts should be a dark, rich, soil-like substance with a good earthy smell. Once you have collected enough compost, you can mix it into your soil and spread it evenly throughout your garden.

By composting, not only are you reducing the amount of waste going into your landfill, but you are also decreasing the need for chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden.

If each of us makes an effort to reduce our own wastes through the principles of the four R's, then together we can make a big difference.