Protecting Chester’s Water Resources and Water Quality
Chester is fortunate to have many valuable water resources (Cedar Lake, Pattaconk Brook, Waterhouse Pond and the CT River among others) that have played an important role in the town’s history and development and that continue to provide critical natural habitats and recreational opportunities. Protecting these waters from pollution, especially polluted stormwater, is a high priority.
The town is required under CT state law to proactively work to mitigate stormwater pollution. Stormwater pollution is caused when rain or water from snow melt picks up contaminates from roads and parking lots (sand, salt, oils, metals, etc.), lawns and gardens (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, pathogens from pet waste, etc.), construction sites (eroded soil), failing septic systems (pathogens), agriculture (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.) and carries these pollutants to water bodies.
As residents, we all can do things to lessen stormwater pollution. The links below provide quick access to some information about things you can do to help protect Chester’s water resources.
- Nonpoint source pollution – a good description of what causes polluted runoff
- Managing your lawn – environmentally friendly ways to maintain a healthy lawn
- Caring for your septic system – how to keep your septic system working
- Managing animal waste – how to properly dispose of pet waste (Click HERE for another doc.)
- Recycling rainwater with a rain barrel – how to capture and reuse rainwater
- Riparian Buffers – how to manage waterside property to reduce pollution (Click HERE for another doc.)
- Don’t trash grass – suggestions on lawn management
- Build a rain garden – information on how to construct a rain garden