The WaterSpout

Each quarter, the MPC WaterSpout Newsletter provides timely information on water conservation. Current and past editions of the WaterSpout can be downloaded below.

Septic System Education

Green Infrastructure Practices

Green infrastructure uses vegetation and natural processes to treat and manage stormwater. Green infrastructure reduces the need for stormwater conveyance and ensures that runoff is cleaner. You can learn more about green infrastructure techniques in the Georgia Coastal Stormwater Supplement (CSS).

Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act

The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (GESA) protects water quality by controlling the flow of soils into water bodies.
GESA
How to Conserve Natural Resources on Construction Sites Manual

Household Hazardous Material Education Program

Household Hazardous Materials must be disposed of properly to protect our environment.
GA EPD Household Hazardous Waste.

Adopt-a-Wetland

The Coastal Georgia Adopt-A-Wetland Program encourages individuals, schools, and communities to adopt a salt marsh, tidal creek, beach, or swamp. This program is designed to increase public awareness of the State’s non-point source pollution and water quality, to provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, to encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government and to collect reliable baseline water quality data.

Groups are asked to monitor the health of their wetland, perform litter pickups and conduct a public outreach event to inform the public about issues that affect their local wetlands.

Monitoring Activities Include:
Visual Survey
What – A visual and physical evaluation of wetland conditions
Why – Critical water pollution and habitat damage, such as sedimentation, erosion, and excessive nutrients, can be detected through a visual survey.
When – Monitor quarterly or once every season.

Chemical Monitoring
What – Basic tests for the Georgia coast are pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity.
Why – Oxygen is need for respiration. Temperature is directly related to biological activity. pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
When – Once a month.

Biological Monitoring
What – An inventory of macroinvertebrates and plants in the wetland.
Why – The overall health of the wetland can be determined by the composition of this inventory.
When – Monitor quarterly or once a season.

Adopt-a-Stream

The Water Resource Program coordinates the Chatham County Adopt-A-Stream program that enlists volunteer groups to monitor the health and clean up local waterways. Volunteer groups receive free training and equipment through the MPC Water Resources Program and the Savannah State University Adopt-A-Stream Regional Training Program.

The Southeast Regional Training Center at Savannah State University serves Chatham County, as well as 19 other counties in this region. Regional Training Centers conduct Adopt-A-Stream training workshops for all levels of activity and issue quality assurance certifications to volunteers.

Public and private schools in Savannah, Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Savannah, Thunderbolt, Tybee Island and Chatham County received information about this program. Information is also distributed during outreach events. During this report period there were five active Adopt-A-Stream groups in Savannah, Thunderbolt and Chatham County monitoring sites on the Savannah River/Tybee Beach, Placentia Canal, Lake Mayer, Hayner’s Creek, and Quacco Canal.

Adopt-A-Highway/Roadway
Chatham County also sponsors an Adopt-A-Highway program where volunteers are encouraged to adopt a segment of highway and keep it free of litter through regular cleanups. There is currently one active Adopt-A-Highway group in Chatham County. Contact the Chatham County Public Works for Adopt-A-Highway program opportunities.

Recycling in the County

Recycling keeps valuable materials out of landfills which in turn protects our shared resources. For more information on county recycling programs, visit:
Chatham County Recycling Service
Bloomingdale Trash/Recycling Service
Garden City Sanitation and Recycling
Pooler Public Works - Green Recycling and Yellow Recycling
Port Wentworth Sanitation Service
Savannah Recycling and Litter Services
Thunderbolt Trash and Recycling
Tybee Island Recycling Services

Stormwater Education & Storm Drain Marking

Stay Clean, Chatham!

Stormwater pollution is a nasty problem that can be solved by everyone! Trash, wrappers, yard clippings, leaves, etc can wash over the storm drains causing water to back up and flood roads and yards. Remember to pick up all trash and all yard debris to prevent drains from clogging. Chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers also cause major stormwater pollution problems. Remember to apply all chemicals as directed on the label and keep all chemicals out of the storm drain!
Your health, your neighbors, and your waterways thank you!

Stormwater Education and Volunteer Opportunities

Help mark and educate others about the need to keep the storm drain cleans and free of trash, cigarette butts, tree limbs, and debris. There are around 2,000 storm drains in the Chatham County area (to include unincorporated and the other municipalities exclusive of Savannah).

That’s over 2,000 ways in which trash and pollution can wash into our natural waterways and cause harm to the fish, turtles, and habitat. Not to mention, the trash and pollution is ugly to see lying along the side of the road or floating along the edge of the marsh.

Let MPC help you! Reserve your FREE stormwater program! Here’s how we can help:

Stormwater Demonstration with the Non-Point Source Model
MPC purchased an ENVIROSCAPE, a scale model of a typical coastal area, that can be used to educate students, adults, and the general public about stormwater pollution. This model helps identify sources of nonpoint source pollution and lead discussion on how we can prevent stormwater pollution. Contact us for further information!

Stormwater Presentation Opportunities
The MPC Natural Resource staff is available to speak to schools, volunteer organizations, civic organizations, and scout groups about stormwater and water resource protection. Contact us for further information and availability.

Stormwater Pollution Seminar and Stewardship (SPS2) Program
Education and volunteer opportunities that are community-centric! During a SPS2 program, MPC staff will teach about stormwater pollution and prevention then assist volunteers with application and installation of stormwater tiles on area storm drains. Supplies are limited, contact us for availability!