The Humor of Proper Septic Tank Maintenance

Unless you are lucky enough to live in one of the few areas of Schuyler County that has a sewer system, you rely on the use of a septic system to treat and dispose of your wastewater. Septic systems can be a perfect solution to waste management in rural communities, but only they are adequately maintained. To maintain proper function of your septic system it is recommended to have your septic tank pumped out every 3-5 years depending on the size of your tank and the number of people living in the home.

Here are a few humorous videos provided by The National Environmental Services Center that highlight why proper septic tank maintenance is important. National Environmental Service Center

For more information on septic system maintenance contact the Schuyler County Watershed Protection Agency at 535-6868 or visit http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/septic.htm.

Rock Cabin Road Cleanup

In honor of Earth Day the Schuyler County Environmental Management Council is sponsoring a roadside cleanup event on Monday, April 25 at 2:30. Rock Cabin Road is an ecologically sensitive area that boarders the Queen Catharine Marsh. This area provides habitat to a number of unique species and has an number of rare butterflies that visit the puddles along the road. Those interested should meet at the Seneca Lake side of the road. For more information please contact Jenna Hicks at Cooperative Extension at 535-7161.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County Celebrates the Environment on Earth Day and Every Day with Battery Recycling Program

Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension has recently partnered with Call2Recycle® to offer a FREE rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program in Schuyler County. Call2Recycle® is the only free battery and cell phone collection program in North America and has been responsible for diverting over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from landfills since 1994.

Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury and lead which can be harmful to our water supply if not disposed of properly. “Right now many people just throw rechargeable batteries in the trash because they don’t know what to do with them,” says Jenna Hicks, Environmental Science Educator with Cooperative Extension. “This is something we hope to change. We realize that if the program isn’t convenient and free we will only get subpar participation, we want to address both of these issues and that is why we decided to work with the Call2Recycle® program.”

Collected materials are recycled into new batteries, stainless steel products and other items with nothing going to the landfill according to Call2Recycle®. “It’s a win- win situation. You reduce your garbage bill and save landfill space; what’s not to like?” asks Hicks.

Rechargeable batteries and cell phones can be dropped off Monday- Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Cooperative Extension office located in the Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls. For more information please contact Jenna Hicks at 535-7161 or via email at jlh254@cornell.edu.