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Bay-Friendly landscaping can help protect our from pollution by: / Increasing on-site infiltration and reducing runoff / Reducing contaminants in runoff / Increasing the soil's ability to remove pollutants from runoff In an undisturbed landscape, only 15% of the rainwater leaves the system through surface water runoff. More than one-third moves into the soil where living, biologically diverse organisms break down and naturally filter out pollutants, before it reaches groundwater or our waterways. As land is developed into residential or commercial landscapes, roads and parking lots, major changes occur. ^ More water runs off the surfaces - as much as 70% of all rain and irrigation water runs into waterways without moving through soil. ^ The soil supports less microbial life and is less able to filter harmful chemicals out of the little water that infiltrates and moves through soil. What happens next? Flash floods scour creek banks. Erosion of channels is greatly accelerated. As little as 10% impervious surface causes significant degradation of streams. Pollutant load also increases. An acre of parking lot collects as much as 4 gallons of oil, gasoline and diesel fuel each year. When it rains and water runs off the parking lot, these toxic compounds are discharged into local creeks where they may eventually enter the Bay. Other pollutants include trace metals, pesticides, nutrients from fertilizers and pet waste, trash and suspended soil particles from poorly vegetated ground. Stormwater runoff, from both residential and commercial sites, thus becomes a large source of pollution. At the same time air pollution from power equipment used in conventional landscaping takes an enormous toll on our environment. Gas powered garden tools emit 5 percent of the nation's air pollution. Plant debris is hauled to the landfll in vehicles that pollute the air, and once there, the materials decompose without oxygen and in the process emit greenhouse gases. `r. - ~.~ ~~ ~ - I ,.. .._ ..,. ,. ,ilrr Heathy, Undisturbed Soils. A healthy vibrant soil structure teeming with micro and macro organisms. Z'he presence of abundant organic material allows the soil to hold and retain water, and bind and degrade pollutants. ~_ ~' o.. ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~,, _... t~ c.r.,.,.~ Unheahhy, Disturbed and Paved Soils. A soil structure impacted by human activity with limited organic life. Erosion and surface water run-off are high. SOURCE: THE FELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL AND WATER, KING COUNTY OEPARTME NT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Bay-Friendly landscaping can help protect our from pollution by: / Reducing fossil fuel consumption / Recycling plant debris on site / Planting trees to remove COz and absorb air pollutants Make the connection between Bay-Friendly and reducing the emissions that cause global warming -and distinguish yourself in the marketplace. v~ ~ ~. ~~ ~ tD ~ 41