A sign of water quality

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To the Editor:

During June, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary ran a three-session Water Quality and Watershed program for the 7th grade science class at Tisbury School, sponsored by Tisbury Waterways Inc. (TWI). During the last session, students installed “No Dumping — Drains to Waterways” medallions next to storm drains along Main Street in Vineyard Haven.

Most people are unaware of how their daily activities may impact water quality by polluting stormwater. Stormwater runoff collects and transports animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, carelessly discarded household wastes, and other potential pollutants directly into our local waterways. Public education, such as the medallion installation, is essential to changing the behavior of residents and visitors alike.

TWI believes that diverting stormwater, by removing asphalt berms along the side of roads and building and maintaining bioswales that collect and help clean stormwater before it enters the waterways, is a sensible long-term approach to managing stormwater. Onsite management that prevents storm runoff from getting into the system in the first place is the best practice. Until we achieve this, however, remember that dumping waste near storm drains has the same impact as dumping directly into the local waterway. Whenever you see “No Dumping” medallions next to storm drains, whether it be the new medallions in Vineyard Haven or existing ones in Edgartown, be reminded that what we put into the storm sewers will end up in the stormwater system, and eventually our local waterways. The only thing that should go into storm drains is rain.

Thanks to Felix Neck and the Tisbury School 7th graders for starting the public education process.

Gerry Hokanson

Tisbury Waterways Inc.