5 Rainwater Resolutions for the New Year

The New Year means a rebirth of sorts.

It is a time to reflect and a time to look forward. While we like to look at our accomplishments, it's even more important to look at the work ahead. As such, what better way to ring in a new decade than by making a few simple rainwater resolutions to improve the quality of your neighborhood and our city. Take a look below and pick one, or two (or five if you're really a super star) clean water resolutions that you'd like to commit to in 2010.
****Make sure to visit our Facebook page and post your rainwater resolution on our wall. As a way of saying great job we'll mail you the item of your choice from our 'swag' album. After you've posted your resolution, just email us at LAstormwater@lacity.org to tell us your pick.***

Resolution #1
Make the One-a-Day Pledge
We know that everyone reading this blog is already putting your garbage in a trash can, but how about if you commit to picking up one piece of litter everyday? It's very simple. Just think of this: if everyone who reads this post were to pick up one piece of trash every day of 2010, we would eliminate over 1 million pieces of trash from entering the storm drain system. That's a lot of garbage! You may not be creating the litter, but it certainly doesn't hurt to help keep it out of our waterways.

Resolution #2
Volunteer Your Time for Clean Water
Commit to participating in at least one day of service to help protect our lakes, rivers and ocean. A day of service may involve a beach clean-up or a tree planting. There are many non-profits throughout the City that are committed to improving our waterways and that offer opportunities for you to volunteer. Check out our calendar at www.lastormwater.org/teameffort where you will find one that fits with a location and time that is most convenient for you. And if you do decide to volunteer, why not check out Disney's volunteer page? Volunteer for an event in your zip code and you will receive a free pass to Disneyland!

Resolution #3
Become a Facebook Fan....and Tell a Friend!
The LA Stormwater Facebook page helps you stay connected with all of the latest and greatest water quality updates. You will also be the first to find out about giveaways and programs that the City is offering to help improve our community, such as the rain barrel giveaway that was part of the Rainwater Harvesting program. Already a fan? Invite your family and friends to join too!

Resolution #4
Start Harvesting Rainwater
The words L.A. and rain aren't usually a likely pair, but these past couple weeks have taught us that sometimes when it rains it pours! Despite all of the showers we've received, we are still in drought. So how about capturing that water for later use? It helps conserve potable water from being used outdoors and it prevents all that urban runoff from picking up pollutants before it leads directly to our rivers and ocean.
The LA Rainwater Harvesting Program, which some of you may have been part of, is in the process of providing more than 500 rain barrel installations to properties in the Ballona Creek watershed. The pilot program has received an overwhelming response, and we hope that we will be able to continue this program in the future by expanding it to other areas in the City. If you're itching to get started now, refer to our How-To Guide to install your own rain barrel. Also coming soon is an instructional barrel installation video. Stay tuned!

Resolution #5
Pick Up After Your Pooch
Nobody likes to step on a pile of poop on the sidewalk. And no one enjoys beaches and rivers flowing with fecal matter. When we don't pick up after our dogs when we take them for a walk, or when they do their business in the backyard, we are a part of the problem, not the solution. Unattended dog waste can cause health issues with other pets as well as humans who come into contact with them. Not only that, when rains come and wash dog waste into our storm drain system, that dog waste ends up entering our stormwater and is released completely untreated into the ocean. Beachgoers don't want poop in their water and aquatic life too, would prefer to go without it. So make a little resolution to continue picking up after your pet.

So there you go! Five good reasons to ditch the "lose 15 pounds" routine and go for a resolution you can keep, and one that makes you feel good about giving back to your community! Clean water and a clean conscience, what more can you ask for?

Click here to view all of the articles in Issue 9 of the LA Stormwater newsletter.