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.

Urban Resilience Planning for Dummies

by Warren Karlenzig


With all the efforts going into urban climate action plans and carbon reduction, will many cities and suburbs be caught unprepared for other sustainability crises, such as acute water or energy shortages? Read full article

Plastic Century

In honor of Jacques Cousteau's 100th birthday, Plastic Century has created an exhibit that truly makes people think about how plastic impacts so many aspects of our lives. The exhibit consists of water coolers that each represents different periods of time 1910 to 2030, each cooler is filled with plastic and viewers are asked the very thought provoking question "which one would you choose to drink from?" To read the blog at BoingBoing please click here.

Permeable Parking Lot Project

Courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Site

Permeable Parking Lot Project

The US EPA's Permeable Parking Lot project was completed in October 2009 at the EPA Edison Research Facility in Edison, NJ.

The permeable parking lot is made of 3 different surfaces that capture rain and collect the runoff in a basin beneath the parking lot.

The parking lot helps the environment because it reduces storm water volume flowing to receiving waters, improves water quality by removing solids and other environmental contaminants, and helps to reduce urban heat island effects that occur with conventional parking lots. As part of on going research, all of these features will be monitored over time.