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Hoosic River Watershed Association

Reducing NPS Pollution

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“Non-point-source” or NPS pollution is pollution that cannot be traced to a single-source outfall such as a factory pipe discharging into the river. Examples of non-point-source pollution include stormwater runoff from lawns, roads, parking lots, building sites, and agricultural fields. This runoff can contain petroleum products, salt, animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy loads of sand and silt, or other contaminants. Failing septic systems or other contamination of groundwater can also contribute to NPS pollution.

Since the Clean Water Act went into effect, most point-sources of pollution have been identified and regulated. Their contribution to river pollution has decreased dramatically. NPS pollution is a much harder problem to solve, because the solution depends on individuals deciding to change the way they do things.

storm_drainWhat you can do:

    1. Spare your local storm drain!

What goes into a storm drain may straight into a river, or may enter a river via a sewage treatment plant. EITHER WAY, most pollutants are not removed! To reduce the strain on storm drains…

      • Avoid dumping soaps, oils, solvents, etc. in the driveway.
      • Reduce or skip the use of herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers on the lawn, especially before rain.
      • Scoop your dog’s waste from the street or hard surfaces.

Let gutter outflow soak into the ground, or collect it in rain barrels.

    1. Keep the septic tank in good working order
    2. Fence pastures so that livestock don’t wade in the river.
    3. Allow a buffer zone of vegetation to grow up between an open field and the river’s edge.

This discourages geese from loitering, too.

For more information on non-point-source pollution, contact us.

Paddling between North Adams and Pownal is usuallly safest when the Williamstown gauge reads 200cfs - 700cfs.

Water Level



Click on graph to enlarge.
Use your judgment before leaving, if the river feels too dangerous for you, postpone your trip.

Upcoming Events

Apr
20
Tue
6:30 pm Valley Falls Free Library talk o... @ Valley Falls Freee Library
Valley Falls Free Library talk o... @ Valley Falls Freee Library
Apr 20 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Tuesday, April 20 – Valley Falls Library Talk on HooRWA HooRWA Board member Gordon Batcheller will present a program on the Hoosic River and the Watershed Association at the Valley Falls Free Library, 42 State[...]
Apr
24
Sat
9:00 am Tomhannock Resevoir Shoreline Cl... @ Route 7 Parking lot
Tomhannock Resevoir Shoreline Cl... @ Route 7 Parking lot
Apr 24 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tomhannock Resevoir Shoreline Clean up @ Route 7 Parking lot
Saturday, April 24 – Tomhannock Reservoir Shoreline Clean-up Meet at the NYS DEC public access parking lot on NYS Route 7 just before the causeway over the reservoir. Bring gloves and wear weather appropriate shoes[...]
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Recent Posts

  • Hoosic 2020 Monitoring Report Card
  • HooRWA’s Spring Newsletter 2020

Contact Us


906 Main St, Williamstown, MA 01267 /
PO Box 667
(413) 458-2742
office@hoorwa.org

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