Education effort helps keep toxic materials out of county's waterways

Editor:

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Valerie Rowell's March 18 article on Columbia County's new storm sewer covers is most timely. Both the county and Adopt-a-Streamers have been trying to call attention to the need to keep toxins and trash out of the storm drains, as these waters (with their animal wastes and herbicides and pesticides) go directly into our streams.

One major subdivision has a stream that has been consistent in showing high bacterial levels, and must be addressed soon. The Water and Sewerage Division is mounting a program to educate the public with decals on neighborhood storm drains. However, the minimum temperature needed for the adhesive used to attach the decals is a fairly consistent minimum 50 degrees. We are approaching that situation now.

The state requires that the persons applying the decals should come from the neighborhoods in which the decals are to be applied. I would recommend to good readers in each subdivision that you call the Stormwater Utility Department at (706) 855-7246 and offer your services as a volunteer. You will be provided all the materials and instructions for applying the decals when the time (temperature) is right.

John Graham

Evans

John Graham is coordinator of Columbia County Adopt-a-Stream.