Tag Archive: water
WSSC Water to Host Open House with Tips on Saving Water and Provide Help to Those Behind on Their Water Bills
WSSC Water will hold an open house from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg that will range from offering water-saving tips to helping customers
Celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week June 3-11
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week takes place this year from June 3 to 11 and is a time to celebrate the cultures, history and natural beauty of the nation’s largest estuary.
Does your HOA have a pet poop problem?
Your HOA may be eligible to participate in the County Pet Waste Management Program! The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with HOAs to reduce pet waste
Civic engagement opportunity: join the County’s Water Quality Advisory Group!
Montgomery County is seeking applicants for the Water Quality Advisory Group. The Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Group (WQAG) provides recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council on
Yard care tips for the fall
Fall is one of the best times to improve your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden. The basic maintenance you do during this “second spring” will pay off in healthier growth
Pollution Prevention Week- Stormwater Management Facilities
Tools in the fight against plastic pollution: Did you know that stormwater management facilities can often keep plastics out of the Chesapeake Bay? Many stormwater management structures
Stream Critters – Yellow Lance Mussel
Introduction Can animals that look like rocks and are capable of trickery and bloodsucking have a positive effect on water quality? What if those same animals had common names like
Stream Critters – Marbled Salamander
Introduction Marbled salamanders are marvelous critters. These thin-skinned, cold-blooded salamanders – and frogs and toads – survive winters without coats. That’s amazing. Salamanders can lose a leg or tail and
Stream Critters – Giant Stonefly
Introduction Picture this: an ancient adult stonefly lands on a stegosaurus. The stegosaurus doesn’t notice. The stonefly is looking for a mate, not a huge dinosaur, and it flies away.
Stream Critters – Acuminate Crayfish
Introduction “Look! Right there! Under that rock in the middle of the stream! Is that a lobster?” Nope. It’s a crayfish, the smaller freshwater cousin of the lobster. You can’t
Stream Critters
Introduction Eels have mystified people from Aristotle who thought they developed from earthworms to young Sigmund Freud who couldn’t find what makes a male eel a male and who switched
Kemp Mill Shallow Marsh Wetland
Wetlands Provide Ecosystem Services Wetlands are often described as the “kidneys of the landscape.” They help remove pollutants from runoff and moderate the flow of water to mitigate floods and
Booze Creek Gets a Face Lift
Nearly 1400 young trees find a new home along Booze Creek As of April 2021, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has completed more than three quarters of the
Fern Fronds Unfurl for Spring
As spring continues its procession, native ferns awaken to the sun and warming earth by unfurling their leaves, called fronds, that emerge from the base of the plant as tightly
2020 didn’t slow down the Watershed Restoration team
Its that time of year that our office has come to love. Time to submit our annual report to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the County’s Municipal Separate
Winter starts the new garden year
Gardeners know: when the days start to lengthen, it’s time to get back to the garden. One of the typical garden activities of winter is ordering seeds and plants. Another
Signs of Spring: Fish!
Signs of spring are beginning to appear but, what makes it springtime? Who you ask will determine the answer you receive. If they are like most of my friends, it
How to Safely Apply Salt in the Winter
We are all familiar with the crunch of salt underfoot after a snowstorm in Montgomery County. But where does this salt go after the snow and ice has melted? What
#MontgomeryPlogs – Join the Challenge
What the PLOG is Plogging? In celebration of Energy Action Month which takes place annually in October and Storm Water Awareness Week, October 18-24, 2020, Montgomery Energy Connection launched the
Road Salt is a Problem
Salt is useful because it is inexpensive and somewhat effective in breaking down ice and snow on our roads. Following a storm, major roads need to be safe and passable.
Reducing Stormwater Runoff and the Use of Deicing Chemicals
Pervious Pavement: What is it? Pervious pavement is a system for reducing stormwater runoff, ensuring less pollutants enter our waterways, as well as reducing the use of deicing chemicals during
Steps to a deeper shade of green
Several years ago, one of my friends told me I was the “greenest person she knew!” Although surprised, my “normal” is apparently not the norm. I am constantly trying to
15 in Fifteen Energy and Water Trivia Game
In celebration of Energy Awareness Month, October 2020, Montgomery Energy Connection will be hosting several 15 in Fifteen Trivia Games in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.
15 in Fifteen Energy and Water Trivia Game
In celebration of Energy Awareness Month, October 2020, Montgomery Energy Connection will be hosting several 15 in Fifteen Trivia Games in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.
The Power of Scooping Poop
Have you ever heard of the Poop Fairy? No? Probably because there is no such thing. Pet owners across Montgomery County are responsible for picking up their pet’s waste when
Becoming a Beekeeper
How did I get started? I got interested in beekeeping out of a desire to make a small benefit to our yard and neighborhood. My wife and I have always
No One Wants Trashy Water: Pollution Prevention
What is the Problem? Litter in our communities is detrimental local wildlife as it pollutes streams. Litter can be any piece of trash that is not put into the correct
Monitoring Montgomery County’s Streams
Did you know that September 18th is World Water Monitoring Day? Since 1995 Montgomery County has maintained a stream monitoring program. As a result, the program has tracked water quality
Energize with 15 in Fifteen!
Introducing Montgomery Energy Connection’s ‘Energize with 15 in Fifteen!’ virtual trivia game! In celebration of October Energy Action Month, we are excited to offer the Montgomery County community this electrifying,
Maintenance and Inspection of Stormwater Best Management Practices
Did you know there are more than 17,000 Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Montgomery County? These stormwater BMPs protect rivers, streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay! Stormwater BMPs are
Artistic Messages of Consciousness, Community, and Clean Water
If you look closely, you will find many beautifully painted storm drains across Montgomery County with messages highlighting the importance of clean water and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. These designs
Stormwater Best Management Practices
August is water quality awareness month. At the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the Watershed Restoration Division’ entire focus is water protection year-round! The Watershed Restoration Division is
Explore County’s water quality restoration work through interactive map and learn ways to save money!
This past June, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed an interactive web map with dynamic infographics. The interactive map displays the County’s restoration efforts that have taken
Streams of Consciousness: Knowing Where Our Stormwater Goes
Many storm drains in Montgomery County lead straight to streams, which then feed into larger streams and rivers and eventually lead to the Chesapeake Bay. We pass these storm drains
Clean Water Art Contest Winners!
Every year we host an art contest to help us with educating Montgomery County residents on the importance of protecting our communities and local waters – our rivers and streams.
Sustainable Plumbing Options for Your Garden
Since we are living in the age of scarce natural resources and climate change, we must make an effort to recycle, repurpose, reuse, and conserve resources. The good news is—theWater and Energy: They Go Together
Water is one of the most important and precious commodities on the planet. But reducing your usage can do more than help keep Mother Earth out of peril – it
Plan Now for Garden Success
With the holidays behind and the slower pace of winter taken hold, this is a great time to reflect on your garden goals for the coming year, including plans for
Tips to Lower Your Water & Electricity Bills
There’s nothing as annoying as having to spend a considerable amount of your income on utility bills. You know, I used to regard utility bills as a sort of evil
Watershed Restoration Division – 2019 Highlights!
The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water and land in
H2O Summit
H 2O Summit Set for Nov. 2nd, 2019 at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Dr, Rockville, MD 20850 Taking pride in local water quality, networking, and learning about what
Volunteer Champions: The Lewy Family
The Lewy Family was recognized as Volunteer Family of the Year during DEP’s 20th Annual Recycling Achievement Ceremony. Find out more about The Lewy Family in our series,
What flows down the street, goes to the creek!
…And we have proof! Bill Wydro, a board members of the Regency Estates Citizens Association conducts periodic litter patrols of his neighborhood. One area routinely checked is Snakeden Creek, next
Yellow Lance Mussel in Montgomery County!
In 2015, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Biological Monitoring team found a yellow lance mussel (Elliptio lanceolate) while conducting a fish survey on the Hawlings River. The yellow
DEP and Safeway want you to “Lighten Your Load”
During the Summer of 2018, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Safeway stores partnered to help save shoppers energy and money on their lighting with “Lighten Your
Know Your Blooms: Swamp Milkweed
Have you noticed the blooms of swamp milkweed? Starting in June, swamp milkweeds flowers start opening in sunny habitats in the County, such as wet meadows and swales. This includes
Rethink your yard
Have you thought about your yard lately? I mean REALLY thought about it? Are you getting all the environmental, social and aesthetic benefits that you could from the place you
Fall is a great time for gardening, especially with natives
Learn a few new plant names, rethink the idea that “Spring is planting time” and you’ll have a fall to remember in your garden project. Contrary to conventional wisdom, autumn is not
