Keep Our Oceans and Beaches Clean

By David | May. 29, 2007 | 1 Comment|post a comment

Summer is just around the corner. As a surfer, I'm always amazed when seemingly pristine and remote beaches are made toxic cesspools from storm drain runoff. Check out this recent NY Times article, "Surf's Up, but the Water is Brown" for a review of Southern's California's dirtiest beaches.

And the damages aren't limited to curbs on our recreation. Marine life is under assault from man's encroachment.

But we're not helpless and you can adopt some easy tips to keep our beaches and oceans clean (thanks to the Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter):

Gutter Talk: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk or driveway and keep your gutter clean of trash and debris.
Weeding instead of Sprays: Pull your own weeds. The less herbicides and peticides we use, the less they'll spill out into the ocean and ruin your next day at the beach.
Scoop Poop: Make sure you pick up after animal droppings.
Stop that Drip: Make sure to turn faucets off completely and reapir any leaky ones.. Driping faucets waste thousands of valueable fresh water every day.
Become a Prudent Shopper: Look for natural substitutes to clean your house. For example, viegar and baking soda work clean well. Become aware of the cemicals you use in your daily routine. Buy eco-sensitive products to help protect our oceans.
Oily Recycling: Make sure you re ycle used motor oil. Most garages will take your used motor oil - some will even pay you for it.
Recycle, Recycl: Recycle usable materials - metal, paper, plastic and more. Call 1-800-RECYCLE to locate your nearest drop off locations.
Mind Your Storm Drain: The trash and toxins that are dumped on the street run straight to our beachers. If we reduce the amount of toxins and debris that goes into our storm dramins, the beaches and oceans will thrive again.
Don't Water Your Driveway: All that water washes the soap, oil and chemicals on the driveway, sidewalk and streets straight into the ocean.
Mark Your Storm Drains: Place markers and stickers on storm drains remiding peopoel not to dump or throw anythying into the drain. Contact the Sand Diego Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation at 858 792 9940 for special stencils or more information about how you can help.

For more information on water quality issues, check out the Surfrider series on water pollution.

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Comments

June 3, 2007 - 2:59pm — Mary

Great Reminder!

We all in the back of our minds know about water/ocean pollution, but usually never think of things we can do to minimize it. Loved the ideas of what we can do. More water saving techniques: 1) Don't let the water run when you're brushing your teeth. 2) Let your kids take a bath together using the same water -- and skip bath nights to every other day. 3) Stop the shower water when you're shaving or washing your hair and restart for rinse. 4) Fill a pan in the sink with water and soap and wash the dishes in the soapy water rather than let the water run while you wash. 5) Never run a dish washer unless it's full. Run it on the light cycle instead of the normal one. 6) Water your garden less -- and replace grass areas with other ground cover that isn't so water hungry (easier said than done often, esp with kids around)... Or use grey water to water your garden, though the only place that currently does that in California is EcoHouse in Berkeley. The local governments have been loathe to permit it....not trusting what people throw down their drains!

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