Water Education

With more than 1,400 lakes and countless tributary streams and rivers that flow throughout Oakland County, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's (WRC) Environmental Team is committed to sharing resources and providing education to waterfront property owners and others on how to protect water quality at their own back door and beyond.

For a comprehensive look on best practices to help keep our water clean, please view our popular publication:

Waterfront Wisdom - Healthy Habits for Clean Water

Learn more about water education and our programs by visiting the pages to the left. and the content below.

Minimize Water Runoff

The interface between land and water (known as the riparian zone) serves a multitude of essential functions such as:

Maintaining stream flows
Cycling nutrients
Filtering chemicals and other pollutants from runoff
Trapping and redistributing sediments
Absorbing and detaining floodwaters
Maintaining fish and wildlife habitats, and
Supporting the food chain for a wide range of organisms

Given that the number one source of water pollution today comes from stormwater runoff that enters our lakes and streams without prior treatment, waterfront property owners have a special responsibility to protect our water resources. They are at the frontline of preventing pollution from property directly adjacent to our waterways. Although all human activities in a watershed can affect the water quality of our lakes and streams, activities adjacent to riparian zones are most critical.

With the help of a federal grant through the Rouge River Wet Weather Demonstration Project, the WRC Environmental Team produced a series of informational booklets and pamphlets for waterfront property owners. They outline a variety of actions to protect water quality and wildlife, as well as property values and the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Oakland County.

They can be viewed below or contact us if you would like a hard copy of any of these materials. By following Healthy Habits for Clean Water, you will learn how to minimize stormwater runoff from your property. You'll also learn how to minimize pollutants from leaving your property and entering the water.

Waterfront Wisdom: Healthy Habits for Clean Water - This booklet provides a comprehensive look at the seven Healthy Habits for Clean Water. Individual pamphlets have also been developed on each Healthy Habit.

Healthy Lawns and Gardens

Naturalized Shorelines & Streambank Buffers

Home, Yard & Animal Waste

Find out if your community participates in a Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Program.

Stop FOG from Clogging Your Home Pipes & Entering the Sanitary Sewer System
Waterfowl Management

Septic System Maintenance

WQ-39: Managing Your Septic System - MSU-Extension Water Quality Bulletin

A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - US EPA, March 2005

Septic System Education resources - Alliance of Rouge Communities Website