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OUR WATERSHED
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Mill Creek Watershed
The Mill Creek watershed is a drainage basin located in southwestern Ohio. The watershed covers 166.2 square miles, and every drop of rain that falls in that area eventually runs into the Mill Creek. Today around 450,000 residents live in the Mill Creek watershed. This urbanization has a tremendous impact on the health of the Mill Creek. It was at one time considered the most endangered urban river in America due to its high levels of pollution. While pollution levels are down, Mill Creek continues to suffer from non-point source pollution.
Combined Sewer Overflow
When it rains, storm water runoff occurs, and can deliver harmful chemicals and sediments into waterways. When the water runs over the ground it picks up soil, pesticides, fertilizers, and other contaminants. The rain water will either run directly into waterways or into sewage systems. These sewer systems carry both storm water and sewage, and are designed to overflow when they fill with too much water. When this happens, the combined sewer overflow system does not treat the water before it overflows, releasing the pollutant filled water into open waterways. The most pressing issue that arises from runoff is pollution.
Benefits of Rain Barrels
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The average American uses 320 gallons of water a day. Thirty percent of the 320 gallons (96 gallons) are used for outdoor uses. Cincinnati gets 44 inches of rain per year, and for every inch of rain that falls on one square foot of the catchment area, sixty percent of the runoff water can be collected in a rain barrel. Rain barrels store rain that lands on rooftops during rain events which would provide an alternative to using tap water for watering lawns, gardens and houseplants. Plants tend to thrive when watered with rain water, which is naturally soft, devoid of minerals, chlorine and other chemicals found in city water, therefore benefiting the harvest of the gardener. The barrels reduce homeowners’ water bills and the runoff into the street.
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