NEW: Check out this new film by the Bay Journal, “Waters Way: Thinking Like a Watershed“.
This wonderful 45 minute film describes how the ‘watery world of the Chesapeake Bay region once functioned and how natural elements, like beavers and trees, could help clean the water again’.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY: DRUG TAKE-BACK OPPORTUNITY: Everyone can help address a vital public safety and public health issue.
WHY: Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Drugs that are flushed down the toilet or disposed in the landfill cause long term water pollution that can not be removed by conventional wastewater treatment.
WHERE: The Page County Sheriff’s Dept. has an easy, secure and private way for anyone to safely dispose of out of date or unwanted drugs. In the lobby of the Criminal Investigations Division Building downhill from the Courthouse parking lot at: 315 West Page Street (This is a secured building – call 743-7810 for entry),
WHEN: Ongoing, Monday – Friday, 8am-4pm.
HOW: Remove or black out the prescription number and name of patient, but leave drugs in a closed container (no loose or liquid drugs & no needles/sharps). Open the drop slot on the secure container inside the building door and deposit drugs.
The Virginia State Police arranges for these drugs to be safely incinerated so they will not cause water pollution.
This is an excellent opportunity to anonymously, properly and easily dispose of expired or unneeded pharmaceuticals.
THANK YOU in advance for properly disposing of these materials instead of flushing them down your toilet.
Water is fundamental to the overall health and quality of life in Page County, a foundation for our community, economy and environment. A clean, abundant supply of water is a basic right for all of our residents and an essential resource for our children and their future.
We are a group of citizens, farmers, local officials, planning commission members, and state and local organizations. We promote water pollution prevention, prioritize and address water quality issues and enhance environmental education in schools and communities in Page County.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP CONSERVE WATER:
A student working on a project and her teacher adviser sent us this link which has great ideas for conserving water in your home and outside in the yard.
Resource Challenge
Page County is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Karst topography poses unique water quality challenges with the close interaction between surface water and ground water. Local land use practices directly affect water quality. Several streams are currently not meeting the state requirements and have been identified for Total Maximum Daily Load studies. The Water Quality Advisory Committee supports farmers in implementing best management practices. Other likely sources of pollution include failing septic systems and other human sources.
Key Partners
The Committee is comprised of members of the community chosen to represent various stakeholders and perspectives, including representatives from: the farming community, health department, cooperative extension, town governments, soil & water conservation district, concerned citizens, schools, recreational water sports and tourism industries. Other groups have offered assistance to the Committee including the Department of Conservation & Recreation, the National Park Service – Rivers and Trails Department, the UVA – Institute for Environmental Negotiation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Canaan Valley Institute, the Shenandoah Basin Project, and others.
The Page County Water Quality Advisory Committee meets monthly. Page County residents are encouraged to attend and get involved in understanding and taking care of one of our county’s most vital natural resources, our water.
The Nature Conservancy has created a new website particularly for ‘anyone whose life or livelihood is enriched by rivers can learn how we can all work together to protect these waterways’. THE GREAT RIVERS PARTNERSHIP brings together diverse stakeholders and best science to work toward sustainable management and development of the world’s most critical river systems.