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TextNews to Use Podcast Transcript: May 4, 2011
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County News to Use podcast for May 4, 2011.Coming up, learn about the proper way to discharge swimming pool water and find information on summer camps. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Every spring, large quantities of swimming pool water are discharged directly into storm drains and streams when pools are drained and flushed after maintenance and prior to the new swimming season. Improperly discharged pool water can have a negative effect on the overall environmental health of streams.
In a typical spring, county officials respond to several localized fish kills that are the result of improperly discharged pool water. This also can cause the loss of aquatic insects that inhabit the stream system. Rapidly discharged water from pools can cause erosion of the stream bed and banks, especially in smaller receiving streams.
Here are seven things that should be done by swimming pool companies, community pool operators and individual homeowners prior to discharging swimming pool water on the ground, into a stream or into a storm drain.
- De-chlorinate the water by allowing it to stand untreated for at least seven days.
- Ensure that the water is at a neutral pH of about seven.
- Remove excess sediment and leaves from the water.
- Make sure the discharged water will not flood your basement or affect your neighbors’ property.
- Discharge the water so that it does not directly enter a storm drain or a stream.
- Discharge the water over a grassy area to help slow it down and aerate it.
- Discharge the water at a slow rate (over 24 hours is best) so it does not cause erosion.
For
more information, call Fairfax County Stormwater Management at
703-324-5500.
From performing arts, to sports, to high adventure, Fairfax County camps offer a wide range of summertime fun activities for ages 3 through teens.
The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services offers RECQuest, recreation programs for children in grades one through six in community centers throughout the county. Neighborhood and Community Services also offers a number of summer therapeutic recreation programs for ages 5 through 22 with disabilities. And the free summer meals program for kids provides nutritious meals to many of the children who receive free and reduced meals during the school year. Further information on these programs can be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.
The Fairfax County Park Authority offers summer camps at RECenters, parks and other Fairfax County locations for ages 3 through teens. Register by May 27 and save $8. To find out more, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/rec_camps.htm. Meanwhile, Rec-PAC is a six-week structured recreation program with themed weeks for those entering first grade this fall to those who finish sixth grade in spring 2011. For details, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/recpac/
And finally, the Office for Children provides School Age Child Care (SACC) Summer Camp at many public elementary schools from July 5 to Aug. 19, from 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday – Friday, for children who will enter first to seventh grade this fall. Call SACC at 703-449-8989.
That’s all for this News to Use podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for continuous news updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. You may also call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. News to Use is produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, government.
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