The quality of groundwater directly affects the quality of the Cape’s coastal inlets, ponds and drinking water.
%
87% of coastal embayments for which water quality data exists were graded Unacceptable
%
35% of all graded ponds for which water quality data exists were graded Unacceptable
THE PROBLEM
What You Can Do
Work to achieve zero stormwater runoff from your property:
- Install a rain garden to capture rainwater from a gutter downspout.
- Minimize pavement and stonework that doesn’t allow the rainwater to soak into the ground.
- Reduce lawn area, avoid use of lawn chemicals and plant more shrubs, trees and flowers
What You Can Do
Work with your neighborhood association to properly manage stormwater on its private roads:
- Contract for the annual cleaning and maintenance of catch basins.
- Budget for stormwater improvements and incorporate nature-based designs whenever possible.
- Encourage your neighbors to avoid fertilizer use and keep stormwater on their property.
What You Can Do
Work with your neighborhood association to properly manage stormwater on its private roads:
- Contract for the annual cleaning and maintenance of catch basins.
- Budget for stormwater improvements and incorporate nature-based designs whenever possible.
- Encourage your neighbors to avoid fertilizer use and keep stormwater on their property.
What You Can Do
Help your town maintain its stormwater systems:
- Report flooding, standing water or sediment buildup to your town’s Department of Public Works.
- Lend a hand and remove leaves, debris and litter from around storm drains.
Individual actions by homeowners and businesses—both by the actions you take on your property and by making sure your voice is heard in the local decision-making process—can make a difference in the protection of Cape Cod’s water resources.
Association to Preserve Cape Cod
482 Main St., Dennis, MA 02638
508-619-3185
www.apcc.org
waters@apcc.org
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