Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink

Posted by Carbon Zero Lawn Care on March 10, 2011

On my daily walk the other day, I noticed the most absurd visual. It literally stopped me in my tracks. As I was crossing the street, I passed a storm drain. In close proximity to that drain was an emblem with a fish on it. I recognized it as part of Columbus’ effort to increase awareness of the “We All Live Downstream” program.

A commendable idea: To make citizens aware that the decisions they make and the products they use at home often end up damaging our rivers.

Imagine my disappointment, then, when I looked up and immediately spied in the adjacent yard, not 10 feet from the drain, a placard by one the larger lawn fertilizer companies advising me that my children and pets must “keep off” due to the presence of a detrimental chemical!

I wondered if the home owner knew that the chemicals they have paid to put on their lawn, and warned to avoid any contact with, would, with the next rain wash into that sewer and eventually the Olentangy River. Then I wondered how many others were allowing the same thing to happen. Are they really not aware of the long-lasting and far-reaching dangers of these chemicals? Are they really not aware, or do they not care that there are safe, non-toxic alternatives?

If you’d like more information on Columbus’ efforts in this area, go to http://utilities.columbus.gov/Conservation/StormDrainMarkerPrgram.htm

And finally, if you would rather not use a service that has to place a warning on your lawn then give us a try.