SEWAGE 

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Bacteria from human and animal waste can cause diarrheal illnesses, rashes and other infectious diseases.   Property owners and boaters have a responsibility to properly dispose of their sewage to keep our lake safe for everyone to enjoy.

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Septic Systems

Proper maintenance of your septic system is crucial to the health of Herrington Lake.  Many times people don't realize they have a problem until a release has already occurred.  Following these simple steps can help prevent sewage releases:

• Inspect your septic system annually and have it pumped out every three years

• Don't flush chemicals down the drain - they can kill the bacteria needed for the system to work properly

• Don't flush paper towels, cigarette butts, hygiene products, etc.  They can clog the system.

• Keep vehicles and heavy equipment off your drain field

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Holding Tanks

Herrington Lake is a no-discharge lake.  That means you are required by law to take your untreated septic waste to a pump out station.  Your waste will be transported from the pump out station to where it can be treated on land.  Using a pump out station is a simple and effective way to keep septic pollution out of the lake.  If you have a Type III MSD holding take, you must take your sewage to a pump out station!

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Animal Waste

Animal waste is a major source of nutrient pollution in the lake.  Following responsible management practices can minimize this impact:

• Do not allow animals to graze in or near streams, rivers and lakes

• Use a runoff control system to divert clean water away from grazing areas and manure piles

• Use a filter strip or vegetative strip to reduce organic matter in runoff water by as much as 96%

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LITTER

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Without an active clean-up effort like the continuing activities conducted routinely by HLCL, it would take a very long time for trash to disappear.  
Here is a list indicating how long trash survives in the lake if we do nothing.The next time you pass by a floating object, take the time to pick it up and dispose of it properly. It could have gotten there innocently. It only takes a few minutes to save years of beauty for you and your family.

• Paper towels 2-4 weeks

• Cardboard box 2 months

• Waxed milk carton 3 months

• Plywood 1-3 years

• Painted wood stick 13 years

• Styrofoam cups and dock floatation material NEVER!!!

• Aluminum cans 200 years

• Plastic bottle 450 years

• Monofilament fishing lines 600 years

• Glass bottles could be forever

.....and, what about those tires & appliances

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