Love our Lake

Top 10 Things You Can Do To Protect Our Lake

  1. Fertilize your lawn once a year in the Fall. Cancel Spring and Summer lawn applications (omit from annual contract). Don’t use fertilizer with phosphorus. Avoid herbicides and pesticides. See below for more information on fertilizer.

  2. Pump your septic system every 3 years and replace when needed. See below for more information on septic systems.

  3. Pick up after your pet and put the waste in the trash

  4. Go to the car wash. Always use phosphorus free cleaning products for cars, boats and outdoors.

  5. Don’t feed the ducks or the geese.

  6. Don’t put chemicals, oil, or medicine down the drain. The Sharon Department of Public Works offers a Hazardous Waste Collection Day in the Spring and the Fall. (check their website for details)

  7. Make sure your boat doesn’t leak oil.

  8. Stop the spread of invasive plants by checking your boat before launching.

  9. Redirect downspouts into green areas or install rain barrels.

  10. Bag all leaf litter and maintain a natural shoreline.

How to know if there is phosphorus in fertilizer

  • There are three numbers separated by a dash on every fertilizer bag. The middle number indicates the percent of phosphorus in the bag.

  • The N-P-K ratio is Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium

  • Nitrogen helps your lawn appear green, lush and thick as it aids in the creation of chlorophyll, which makes the green pigment in grass.

  • Phosphorus strengthens the root system of grass. Having healthy roots will keep your lawn healthy

  • Potassium supports the internal process whereby plant cells can photosynthesize, absorb water, and plant health, and drought resistance.

Phosphorus - Free Fertilizer

  • Many commercial companies have lowered or removed phosphorus from their products. Scotts Lawn Care, for example, does not have phosphorus in most of its products, except for its Turf Builder Starter Food. Jonathan Green Veri-Green Nitrogen Rich Fertilizer is also phorphorus-free. If the product says “starter fertilizer”, chances are it will contain phosphorus. Check organic fertilizers as these can have phosphorus: Milogranite, for example, has a N-P-K ratio of 6-4-0. Regardless of the brand, check the N-P-K ration on all fertilizer to be sure.

Healthy Septic Systems Help Keep Our Lake Clean

The majority of Sharon properties rely on septic systems, which act as on-site sewage treatment solutions.

Septic systems are generally trouble-free if you understand how they work and follow a few simple rules to maintain them.

Signs your Septic Tank is full

  • You have trouble flushing your toilet, or its constantly backing up

  • Your pipes make a gurgling sound or drain very slowly

  • Your lawn is suddenly growing lush, green grass

  • Water starts to pool in your yard

  • Your home smells like sewage

  • You notice sewage “back up” in your bathtub or shower

When not working properly, septic systems may pollute ponds, waterways - and drinking water - and can be costly to repair.

A septic system doesn’t make solid waste disappear. Solids are captured in the tank and must be removed regularly to prevent clogs. Liquids are dispersed into groundwater.

Mass DEP Guidelines concerning Septic Systems

  • It is recommended you pump the sludge from your tank every 3 years. If you have a sink waste disposal, the system should be pumped yearly.

  • Not pumping your system can cause serious problems: the solids settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a sludge layer. Grease and lightweight materials float to the surface as scum. Normally, septic systems have enough space to accumulate 3-5 years of sludge. As the sludge levels increase more solid wastes escape into the soil absorption system (SAS). If the SAS becomes so clogged that it cannot absorb liquid at the rate it enters the tank, the plumbing will “back up” or unsanitary waste water will bubble to the surface.

  • Speak to a licensed septic pumper for advice.