Keeping pollutants from entering our reservoirs and watercourses makes for a healthier environment and protects our drinking water supply. The protection of our source water leads to a higher quality drinking water and reduces our treatment costs. Runoff from rain and snow carries chemicals, sediments, pesticides, excess nutrients and many other pollutants from the land to the water. Maintaining a buffer strip of native vegetation along our streams and reservoirs plays an important role in protecting water quality.

The deep-rooted native trees and plants minimize soil erosion and act as a filter that helps keep contaminants from entering the water. Native plants can have roots that grow to 15 feet deep while the roots of turf grass typically only grow several inches deep. The native plant roots and undistributed ground cover slow the flow of stormwater, soak up and filter contaminants and hold the soil in place. Some areas along the Westerville Reservoir are highly susceptible to erosion and greatly depend on existing trees and plants to help minimize the rate of erosion.

Limiting land use and the disturbance of the natural vegetation along the reservoir and waterways promotes the protection of our water supply.

For additional information:

•    Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District

•    Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District: Backyard Conservation

•    Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative