Ecology launches web site “Washington Waters– Ours to Protect”
Washington Department of Ecology
December 30, 2008
OLYMPIA – Millions of Washingtonians have a new tool kit to help them keep Puget Sound, the Spokane River, the Columbia River, and other Washington waters healthy and clean.
“Washington Waters – Ours to Protect” is a Web site packed with downloadable posters, tips and advice. The site offers tangible actions that every Washington resident can take to protect the state’s waters – actions that are essential to fish, wildlife, people, and the state’s economy.
“Solid scientific research confirms that we, as individuals, are the key to healthy, clean waters all across out state,” said Jay Manning, director of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). “In Washington, we have dramatically reduced pollution from industrial facilities like manufacturing plants and sewage treatment plants. While our state isn’t letting up on industrial pollution, we’re now putting new emphasis on equipping Washington residents – all of us – to help protect our state’s imperiled waters.”
People usually want to do the right thing, but they often do not know what that is, Manning said. “With Washington’s growth and the issues we face in restoring Puget Sound, this topic has never been more relevant.”
Recent Ecology reports reconfirm that surface runoff is the main pathway for toxic chemicals getting into Puget Sound. Everyday activities of people contribute to this pollution problem.
The state’s new “Washington Waters” education outreach campaign is based on proven community-based marketing concepts. For example, change occurs easiest when barriers are removed.
Simple education can remove barriers. For example, routine maintenance of a home septic system can help people avoid costly repairs or reinstallations. Why does this matter? Bacteria, viruses and other pollution from failing septic tanks can contaminate shellfish beds and make water unsafe for swimming or drinking. Drinking-water wells and groundwater can become contaminated. Beaches and waters can be closed for recreation, too. Plus, you could be sending problems into your neighbor’s property.
“Washington Waters – Ours to Protect” builds on other educational campaigns that have engaged people to change their habits. Similar campaigns have helped society prevent forest fires, quit smoking, fasten seat belts, not drink and drive, and refrain from littering (an Ecology-led effort).
“Washington Waters – Ours to Protect” provides logos; advice about why it matters; fun and quirky, easy-to-print posters that inform and make you smile. The Web site is chock full of informative facts and slogans and links to helpful information. Ecology welcomes local governments, groups and individuals to borrow its language, logos, advice and posters – the only caveat is that groups must be not-for-profit.
The campaign’s key themes include:
• Gardeners – “Treat with care. Right dose and the right time.” Why it matters: Runoff carries fertilizers and pesticides into our lakes, streams, Puget Sound and other marine waters.
• Septic tank owners – “When your home septic system fails, it doesn’t just fail at home.” Why it matters: Public health impacts from failing septic systems can be widespread and spread bacteria, viruses and other pollutants.
• Car maintenance – “Don’t leave a sheen. Maintain your car.” Why it matters: Leaking oil goes from car to street to storm drain and into our lakes, streams and Puget Sound.
• Small farm manure – “Manage manure. Collect, cover and compost.” Why it matters: Runoff from manure can contaminate shellfish, make waters unsafe to drink and swim in, and promote algae blooms.
• Recreational boaters – “Don’t leave a sheen. Prevent drips, spills and overfills.” Why it matters: A little spilled fuel can go a long way and harm fish and other marine life.
• Dog owners – “Scoop it. Bag it. Trash it.” Why it matters: Rain washes dog poop and its bacteria into storm drains. From there, it goes on to pollute our waterways.
• Car washing – “Don’t feed soap to the storm drain. Wash your car right. Keep your waters clean.” Why it matters: Storm drains run directly into lakes, rivers and marine waters. When you wash your car in your driveway, the soap can go down the storm drain and pollute our waters.
The education campaign’s messages and images are tailored so they work for the entire state. “We have versions of the posters and the fact sheets that also work for Western and Eastern Washington. Our idea is to make this easy for pickup so others can help us catch interest,” said Sandy Howard, Ecology’s lead on the project.
Howard said the campaign is a work in progress. “We expect feedback and we expect to keep improving this site over time.”
A broad group of partners helped Ecology develop the campaign, including the state departments of Health, Parks & Recreation Commission, Washington Conservation Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, WSU Extension, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Thurston County Stream Team.
Visit the “Washington Waters – Ours to Protect” Web site is at:
www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/index.html
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Media Contact: Sandy Howard, 360-407-6408; cell 360-791-3177; srud461@ecy.wa.gov;