'It's All About the Water'

Published April 10, 2009
By Kathy LaHaye
52nd Civil Engineer Squadron

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron has created a variety of opportunities for Sabers to honor Earth Day with an environmental education awareness campaign April 18 through May 12.

Earth Day is traditionally observed April 22. The celebration at Spangdahlem, themed "It's All About the Water."

This year's theme should mean something to everyone. Let's start with some water facts:
1. There is the same amount of water on earth as there was when the earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that were consumed during pre-historic times.
2. Nearly 97 percent of the world's water is salty or otherwise not palatable, another 2 percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1 percent for all of humanity's needs -- all its agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community and personal needs.
3. Water is part of a deeply interconnected system. What is poured on the ground or spewed into the sky ends up back in the water table.
4. A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.
5. The human brain is 75 percent water.
So where does the water we drink come from? From a bottle at the commissary? From a drinking fountain at school or the gym? From the faucet at home? No matter how someone gets their water, at some point it comes from the ground. Families here in the Eifel are lucky to have a plentiful source of good clean drinking water, however, we have the responsibility to ensure it stays that way.

What do you have to do with all of this? Quite simply, the same ground cars are washed on, oil drips on and pesticides are applied to eventually feeds the water supply. Trash, dirt and pet waste can add contaminants to the water via storm water runoff.

Storm water runoff is the number one source of water pollution and the number one threat to water quality. Simply put, stormwater is rain water or snow melt that, instead of sinking into the ground, 'runs off' via roofs, pavements, gutters, storm drains and ditches into streams, rivers and lakes. As this water washes over the surface, it picks up various pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, oils, pet wastes and litter.

Making a few simple changes in daily routines can make a huge difference in the amount of pollutants contributed to storm water runoff, and ultimately, the future quality of water here at Spangdahlem.
 Pick up after pets.
 Turn roof down-spouts away from paved areas.
 Reduce or eliminate pesticide application and use plants that require little or no water, pesticides or fertilizers.
 Reduce trash by reusing and recycling.
 Recycle used oil. A quart of oil can contaminate two million gallons of drinking water. Take used oil and antifreeze to the auto skills center for proper recycling.
 Reduce paved areas by using permeable surfaces that allow rain to soak through, not run off.
 Instead of driving to work one day take the bus or walk when possible. This could prevent 33 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
 Keep pollutants away from waterways. Keep motors well-tuned to prevent leaks. Select nontoxic cleaning products and use a drop cloth/pan when doing maintenance activities at home or at work.

These are just a few changes that can be made at home and at work. Together we can make a difference and ensure the continued quality of our drinking water remains "crystal clear." After it's all said and done .... "It's All About the Water!"

The campaign entails a month's worth of activities beginning April 18 with a joint German and American stream clean-up effort in the town of Spangdahlem. An Earth Day 5K Fun Run starts at 4 p.m. April 22 at the base Fitness Center. A tree planting ceremony takes place April 24 to commemorate Arbor Day.

The month's celebrations will culminate with an environmental education fair at Spangdahlem Middle School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12. The fair is open to all ID card holders that includes live animal displays, information displays and demonstrations. Volunteers from on- and off-base organizations created the displays, and each exhibit will be staffed by base volunteers who can answer questions during the fair.

For more information, about scheduled events contact the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Recourses Element at 452-7257.

(Editor's note: Some facts in this article were derived from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, www.epa.gov.)

"It’s All About the Water'