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BernCo News Bulletin - February 2021

Watershed Management

Understanding Our Watershed The Middle Rio Grande A watershed is an area of land where all water that runs off from rain and snowmelt eventually drains to a common waterbody. In Bernalillo County, we live in the Middle Rio Grande Watershed. The health of a watershed impacts water quality, people, plants and animals. Our actions affect the Rio Grande. Here are some things we can do to help protect our watershed: Pick up Pet Waste Conserve Water Only Stormwater should enter storm drains and arroyos Compost Yard Waste Recycle Plant Native trees and vegetation Properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

E.coli bacteria in the Rio Grande

The Rio Grande through the greater Albuquerque area is impaired due to high concentrations of E. coli bacteria. E. coli is a natural bacterium found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. However, high concentrations of E. coli can be harmful to people and the watershed.

Dog waste is a leading contributor to E. coli bacteria in the Rio Grande. Dog poop does not decompose readily, so it’s important that we all pick up after our pets! If we don’t, dog poop left behind will be “picked up” by stormwater runoff, which discharges to our drains, arroyos, and ditches, and eventually drains to the Rio Grande, without any treatment.

Picking up pet waste is an easy way to reduce E. coli in the Rio Grande. So remember, bring a bag on your walks or pick one up from a mutt station located around the County. For more information on how to protect our watershed visit our website. Or to learn more about dog waste and stormwater click here.

Let’s all do our part to keep the Middle Rio Grande watershed healthy and the      Rio Grand!

Contact Us

If you would like more detailed information, please send an email to Natural Resource Services.

water@bernco.gov

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