Be a Clean Water Superhero!
What is a Clean Water Superhero?
Clean Water Superheroes are good citizens who follow the law and work to protect our water. They know that water is precious and that we need to take good care of it. Superheroes make choices that help make our lakes and rivers cleaner and more beautiful!
What Can You Do Inside Your House to Protect and Save Our Water?
- Don’t pour chemicals, or paint, or medicine down the sink or flush it in the toilet.
- Turn off faucets tightly to prevent leaks.
- Don’t leave the water running when you’re washing dishes.
- Share with your family and friends what you’re doing! Tell your friends, family, teachers, and neighbors what you’re doing to help save water and keep it clean and safe. When you take a pledge, you can print a certificate to proudly show everyone that you’re a Clean Water Superhero!
What About Water Use in the Bathroom?
- Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. You can save a lot of water by wetting your toothbrush, turning off the faucet, and not turning it back on until you’re ready to rinse.
- Take shorter showers. Instead of playing in the water or waiting until the water gets cold to get out, only stay in the shower as long as you need to wash up.
- If you take a bath, plug the tub before you turn on the water. The cold water at the start will easily warm up by the time you’re ready to get in.
What Can Clean Water Superheroes Like You Do Outside Your House to Protect and Save Our Water?
- Don’t litter. Make sure you put trash in a trash can. If there isn’t one nearby, put it in your pocket or backpack until you can throw it away. Never throw it outside. Litter can easily be washed into a storm drain and eventually end up in a stream or river. Also, if you see trash on the ground that isn’t too messy, pick it up and throw it away in the nearest trash can.
- Plant native plants (plants that grow in Indiana historically and currently). Native plants provide important food and shelter for wildlife. They also have deep root systems that help soak up stormwater and prevent erosion. Because they grew here originally, they don’t require extra watering or fertilizer, either. You can help your family or neighbors plant native flowers, grasses, bushes, and trees to help keep our waters safe.
- Help your family clean up leaves or trash from around a storm drain (the drains you see along the curb in your street). It’s important to keep storm drains clear so that rain water can flow into the storm drain and not back-up and flood the street. The things that clog storm drains like, leaves and litter, can also wash down the storm drain and pollute our water.
- When you play in the sprinkler, play where the grass needs to be watered the most.
- Share with your family and friends what you’re doing! Tell your friends, family, teachers, and neighbors what you’re doing to help save water and keep it clean and safe. When you take a pledge, you can print a certificate to proudly show everyone that you’re a Clean Water Superhero!
What About Animals and Water Quality?
- Pick up pet poo. If you’re out walking the dog, make sure you pick up after it. Pet shops sell special baggies you can use, or old bread bags or plastic grocery sacks work as well. Pick up the poo and throw it in the trash to prevent it from polluting our streams and rivers.
- Don’t feed geese or other wildlife. Feeding wildlife like geese and ducks brings more wildlife to the area. Too many animals in one place can cause a problem. Their poo can pollute the water and sometimes animals can cause problems when they’re too close to humans. For example, geese are very protective of their nests and can be mean if someone gets too close. Feeding things like bread to geese and ducks can also hurt their bellies.