We all live in a watershed

A watershed is an area of land where the water drains to a common point. Here on Saipan, we have 11 major watersheds, all of which eventually drain to the sea.

Use the adjacent map to determine what watershed you live in!

Drop by drop, water is channeled into soils, creeks, streams, groundwater, and eventually to the ocean.

The water that is percolated underground replenishes aquifers and is then pumped into our homes for our daily needs like bathing, washing, etc.

What we do on the land affects water quality for all residents on the island for both our drinking water and our groundwater.

Threats to Our Watersheds

Our watersheds are subject to severe erosion during rain storms and typhoons. This intense rainfall damages unpaved roads, making them impassable and dangerous, and at the same time, deposits sediment on adjacent reefs.

Upland burning and clearing for the purposes of development, farming, and hunting also causes increased levels of sediments in the water. These sediments reduce the quality of water for fish and coral reefs.

Uncontrolled storm water runoff (water that is not infiltrated into the ground) drains off roads, driveways and parking lots, and negatively impacts our water resources. When water runs off these types of impervious surfaces, it picks up pollutants along the way and takes them all the way to the ocean.

Common storm water pollutants include:

-Oil and grease from automobile and kitchen wastes

-Sediment from rural roads, construction sites, and eroding stream banks

-Nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer

-Bacteria from pet waste and sewer overflows and illicit connections

-Metals (lead, nickel, copper) from automobiles

-Pesticides from lawns

Protecting our Watersheds

Schools, civic organizations, individuals can help to protect our watersheds, thereby helping to protect our drinking water and ocean resources for fish and coral reefs.

We can all help by:

1) Maintaining vegetation. Trees and plants slow down runoff and create opportunities for water to infiltrate soils which reduces erosion, stores water for gradual re-release, and helps control flooding.

2) Properly use fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Excessive use of these chemicals can enter into the groundwater or ocean, which then stimulates algae growth which blocks sunlight and prevents an adequate supply of oxygen to fish in the ocean. Watch the weather forecast and avoid applying fertilizers prior to a rain event. Your money and the fertilizer will go down the drain.

3) Redirecting down spouts to water catchments. The water collected can be used for lawn or garden watering, car washing and even showers and toilets.

4) Ensuring proper waste disposal. Locate dumpsters away from drain inlets and ensure each bin is securely covered. Hazardous waste, oil and grease should never be thrown in a garbage bin.

In the few weeks, we will highlight a specific watershed in the CNMI. [B][I](CoCo)[/I][/B]