Announcing: Septic System Maintenance Workshop

Improving Water Quality in the Dix River Watershed

Kentucky River PhotoThe Dix River watershed and its tributaries, which flow into the Kentucky River, are considered imperiled due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Many of the streams flowing into the Dix River are unsafe for wading, swimming, fishing, and other forms of water recreation. Studies have determined that failing septic systems and straight pipes contribute to bacteria in our waterways. High levels of bacteria and other pathogens can harm or kill native plants, fish, and shellfish, and can be a hazard to human health.

To help improve water quality in the Dix River watershed area, Bluegrass Greensource offers homeowner workshops in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties. Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, how to properly care for septic systems, and how to identify problems with septic systems. Following the workshop, participants can apply for a cost-share grant for septic system repairs, or for a free septic tank pumpout. To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties.

The next FREE septic system workshop will be held on:

Saturday, October 17th
10:00-11:00 am
Boyle County Cooperative Extension Service
90 Corporate Drive
Danville, KY 40422

Registration for the workshop is encouraged but not required. Homeowners can register by calling Bluegrass Greensource at: 859-266-1572.

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, through the Kentucky Division of Water.
Photo Credit:
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Septic System Maintenance Tips to Improve Water Quality

Many of Kentucky’s streams and rivers are unsafe for wading, swimming, fishing, and other forms of water recreation due to the presence of high levels of E. coli bacteria. Human sources provide the most prominent contribution to E. coli exceedances. Rural areas not serviced by municipal sewage collection systems have higher human pathogens contributions from failing septic systems or straight pipes. When bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are released into the ground, they eventually enter waterways, harming or killing native plants, fish, and shellfish.

The following maintenance tips can help homeowners properly care for their septic systems:

  1. Locate your septic system and drain field.
  2. Have your septic system inspected every three years by a licensed contractor, and pumped every 3-5 years, depending on tank and household size.
  3. Use water efficiently and prevent leaks in the home.
  4. Don’t flush items other than human waste and toilet paper.
  5. Whether you’re at the kitchen sink, bathtub, or utility sink, never pour grease, drain cleaner, paint, or toxic chemicals down the drain.
  6. Consider eliminating or limiting the use of garbage disposals.
  7. Stagger the use of water-generating appliances. Purchase Energy Star appliances to help conserve water.
  8. Never drive or park on your drain field, and never construct decks or patios in this area.
  9. Plant trees and shrubs an appropriate distance from your drain field.
  10. Keep downspouts, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drain field area.
Adapted from EPA’s Septic Smart Guidelines: www.epa.gov/septicsmart


To help improve water quality in the Dix River watershed area, Bluegrass Greensource offers homeowner workshops in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties. Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, how to properly care for septic systems, and how to identify problems with septic systems. Following the workshop, participants can apply for a cost-share grant for septic system repairs, or for a free septic tank pumpout. To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties.

The next free septic system workshop will be held on:
Saturday, October 17th
10:00-11:00 am
Boyle County Cooperative Extension Service
90 Corporate Drive
Danville, KY 40422

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, through the Kentucky Division of Water.
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Improving Water Quality in Central Kentucky’s Rivers and Streams

unnamed2Kentucky’s rivers and streams provide abundant habitat for aquatic life, numerous opportunities for recreation, scenic beauty, and a source of drinking water for our communities. Across our state, small streams flow directly into larger bodies of water. These streams, rivers, and lakes provide us with more than 100 different species of fish and other aquatic life. But many of Kentucky’s streams and rivers are polluted, are not safe for swimming or fishing, and do not provide a suitable environment for sensitive aquatic species. Water pollution is primarily caused by human activity—wastewater, chemicals, trash, and soil can run off the land and end up in our waterways.

unnamed3A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place. Watersheds cross local, county, state, and national boundaries. In the United States, 2,267 watersheds spread across millions of square miles. On a large scale, a river basin is the land area that is drained by a river and its tributaries—there are many watersheds within river basins. The state of Kentucky is comprised of 12 river basins within its approximate 24 million acres: Big Sandy, Green, Kentucky, Licking, Little Sandy, Lower Cumberland, Mississippi, Salt, Tennessee, Tradewater, Tygarts, and Upper Cumberland. Within the 12 river basins in Kentucky, smaller subbasins exist. Central Kentucky includes the Lower Kentucky River subbasin, which spans portions of 25 counties.

unnamed1The Dix River is part of the Lower Kentucky River subbasin, and is highly polluted. This river and its tributaries have been found to have elevated levels of E.coli, a pathogen that can cause gastroenteritis and other health complications in humans. Some areas of the watershed have exceptionally high levels of E.coli that make streams unsafe for fishing, swimming, wading, and other kinds of water recreation. Sites recently sampled averaged at least four times the limit for E. coli. While livestock farms contribute to E.coli contamination in rural streams, extensive water testing and analysis has shown that contamination in the Dix River watershed is primarily from human waste sources, likely from failing septic systems and straight pipes.

To help improve water quality in the Dix River watershed, Bluegrass Greensource offers homeowner workshops in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties. Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, how to properly care for septic systems, and how to identify problems with septic systems. Following the workshop, participants can apply for a cost-share grant for septic system repairs, or for a free septic tank pumpout. To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties.

The next free septic system workshop will be held on:

  • Saturday, July 18th
    10:00-11:00 am
    Lincoln County Health Department
    44 Health Way
    Stanford, KY 40484

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, through the Kentucky Division of Water.

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Spring Watershed Festivals and Septic Maintenance Workshops

After a cold and snowy winter, Garrard, Lincoln, and Boyle Counties will welcome the long-awaited spring with festivals celebrating the Earth and focusing on the importance of clean water. Bluegrass Greensource is working with local partners to host two festivals and workshops in April.

The Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival will be held on April 18th from 10:00-3:00 at Garrard County High School. Garrard County High School offers a perfect venue for the event. The outdoor area features a rain garden, a monarch butterfly way station, and ample space for local vendors, children’s activities, food, hiking, and music. Free workshops will be held inside and will focus on water quality in the Dix River watershed, septic system care and maintenance, organic gardening, rain barrels, and monarch butterfly way stations. A guided hike at nearby Tom Dorman Nature Preserve will take place in the afternoon.

The Boyle County Earth Day and Watershed Festival will be held on April 25th from 11:00-3:00 at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Danville Campus. Boyle County’s Earth Day Festival’s theme of Water Quality will help educate the community about the importance of clean water and the ways they can protect their local waterways. Local vendors, children’s activities, art contests, food, music, and a 14-mile bike ride will be featured at the festival. The Boyle County Earth Day festival will also offer a variety of free workshops indoors, including septic system care and maintenance.

Bluegrass Greensource will host the Septic System Care and Maintenance workshops at the festivals. Septic workshops will focus on the Dix River Watershed in Garrard, Lincoln, and Boyle Counties and the impact of failing septic systems on human health and on the environment. The workshops will give local residents an opportunity to learn about local watersheds and water quality, how septic systems work, proper septic system maintenance, and how to identify problems in a septic system. After attending a workshop, homeowners may apply for financial assistance for system repairs or installation, or for a free septic tank pumpout. To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties. County health departments are partnering with Bluegrass Greensource to help make this project possible. Please contact Bridget Abernathy at bridget@bgGreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information or to register for an upcoming workshop in advance. Workshop registration will also be available the day of the festivals.

The spring festivals and septic workshops are funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under §319(h) of the Clean Water Act. The Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival is co-sponsored by Earth Angels, Garrard/Lincoln Solid Waste, and Garrard/Lincoln County Cooperative Extension. The Boyle County Earth Day Festival will be held in conjunction with Clarks Run Environmental and Educational Corporation, Boyle County Cooperative Extension, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

Festival Locations and Additional Information:

Garrard/Lincoln County Earth Day and Watershed Festival

April 18th, 10:00-3:00

Garrard County High School

599 Industry Road
Lancaster, KY 40444

https://www.facebook.com/events/362190993964925/

 Boyle County Earth Day and Watershed Festival

April 25th, 11:00-3:00

BCTC Danville Campus

59 Corporate Drive
Danville, KY 40422-9690

https://www.facebook.com/events/956443684365965/

 

 

 

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Septic System Grants

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Septic System Woes?

Did you know that a failing septic system can require expensive repairs, pose a serious health risk to your family and neighbors, and have negative impacts on water quality?  Bluegrass Greensource awarded five Garrard County homeowners cost-share grants to repair or install septic systems at their homes.  Each grant will pay 80% of the repair or installation cost, while the homeowner is responsible for the remaining 20%. 

To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, or Lincoln Counties and must attend a one-hour workshop about septic system care and maintenance.  Following the workshop, participants can apply for a cost-share grant for system repairs or installation, or for a free septic tank pump out (a regular maintenance task that is recommended every 3 to 5 years).

The next free septic system workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 4th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Junction City Community Center (724 W. Shelby Street).  Please contact Sandy Bottoms at sandy@bggreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 to register!

Bluegrass Greensource will offer a series of free septic workshops over the next two years, as well as a series of watershed awareness festivals in local communities and water-related activities in area K-12 classrooms.  These activities are part of a grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water. 

 

 

 

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Septic Workshop

Going Green Can Save You Green

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government with Bluegrass Greensource will be hosting the 5th annual Go Green, Save Green Workshop on March 20, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the BCTC Newtown Campus at 500 Newtown Pike. This one-day workshop will provide you with the know-how to make your business more environmentally friendly while saving you money.

This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to network with sustainability professionals and learn more about steps your business can take to save energy, improve water quality, reduce waste, while reducing your costs.

“As a small business owner, I really learned a lot of budget-friendly green ideas,” states Jana, a past-attendee. “This workshop always has great information for anyone looking to do things a little bit more ‘green’ and it’s a good chance to see what others are doing too.”

Whether you’re just getting started, implementing eco-friendly practices at your business or you’re a seasoned sustainability professional; there are sessions to fit all your needs, including specialized tracks for:

  • Industrial businesses
  • Small businesses/Start-ups
  • Bars/restaurants
  • Non-profits
  • Religious institutions/Faith community
  • Apartment and Property management
  • LEED Design (Fulfills continuing education credits for USGBC)
  • Your Business!

This year, we have partnered with the Kentucky US Green Building Council to expand our offerings, including sessions that will provide continuing education credits for LEED professionals.

The cost to attend is $25 and covers entrance to all the sessions, a zero-waste breakfast and catered lunch, a tour of the LEED Certified BCTC Newtown Campus, chances to win door prizes (including a Haiku Fan from Big Ass Fans), and an invitation to the Happy Hour at Blue Stallion Brewing Company. Parking is free and conveniently accessible.  To register, please visit ggsg.eventbrite.com.

Vendor opportunities are also available; please contact Lisa Conley or Schuyler Warren at (859) 266-1572 for more details.

To download a Go Green Save Green Workshop poster, click here.

 

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Garrard County Joins Us for Septic Workshop

Septic Workshop photo

Homeowners attended a free workshop about septic system care and maintenance, hosted by Bluegrass Greensource in partnership with the Garrard County Health Department on November 5th.  The workshop, held at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, gave local residents an opportunity to learn about how the septic systems in their homes work, how to take care of them, how to tell if they’re not working properly, and what to do if a problem is suspected.  Additionally, Malissa McAlister of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute discussed the history of water quality sampling in the Dix River watershed and the impact failing septic systems have on human health and on the environment.  Following the workshop, participants were able to apply for financial assistance, including free pumpouts and cost-share grants for system repairs or installations.

The workshop was the first in a series of similar workshops to be held as part of a grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water.  Bluegrass Greensource will offer a total of nine homeowner workshops over the next three years, as well as a series of watershed festival events in local communities and water-related activities in area Kindergarten – 12th grade classrooms.

The next free septic system workshop offered through this program is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at McKinney Elementary in Lincoln County.  Only residents of the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties who attend the workshop are eligible to apply for the financial assistance programs.  Please contact Sandy Bottoms at sandy@bggreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information.

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Septic System Care Workshop Coming Soon

Image courtesy of Snohomish Health District
Image courtesy of Snohomish Health District

Did you know that a failing septic system can require expensive repairs, pose a health risk to your family, and have negative impacts on water quality? Bluegrass Greensource is hosting a free septic system care workshop on Tuesday, November 5th from 6 – 7 PM at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory near Crab Orchard, KY.

Participants will learn about local watersheds and water quality, as well as septic system care and how to identify problems. Additionally, residents of the Maywoods area who attend the workshop may be eligible to receive a free pumpout or a cost-share grant for system repairs.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please call (859) 266-1572 or email sandy@bggreensource.org to register!

The workshop is the first of a series of septic system care workshops and water quality outreach events to be held in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties over a three-year period. This program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.

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Garrard County Joined Us for a Septic Care Workshop

Septic Workshop photoHomeowners attended a free workshop about septic system care and maintenance, hosted by Bluegrass Greensource in partnership with the Garrard County Health Department on November 5th.  The workshop, held at Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, gave local residents an opportunity to learn about how the septic systems in their homes work, how to take care of them, how to tell if they’re not working properly, and what to do if a problem is suspected.  Additionally, Malissa McAlister of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute discussed the history of water quality sampling in the Dix River watershed and the impact failing septic systems have on human health and on the environment.  Following the workshop, participants were able to apply for financial assistance, including free pumpouts and cost-share grants for system repairs or installations.

The workshop was the first in a series of similar workshops to be held as part of a grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water.  Bluegrass Greensource will offer a total of nine homeowner workshops over the next three years, as well as a series of watershed festival events in local communities and water-related activities in area Kindergarten – 12th grade classrooms.

The next free septic system workshop offered through this program is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at McKinney Elementary in Lincoln County.  Only residents of the Dix River watershed in Boyle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties who attend the workshop are eligible to apply for the financial assistance programs.  Please contact Sandy Bottoms at sandy@bggreensource.org or (859) 266-1572 for more information.

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