Conservation Committee Focuses on Clean Water and Native Plant Advocacy

​The Conservation Committee held our program last Tuesday March 4th to report to the club what initiatives they have undertaken. Their primary focus will be on Clean Water and to educate and advocate for planting native species throughout the county. The Committee will also take over the task of roadside cleanup which has the potential of remuneration to the club by Virginia DOT. The committee employed a three-person approach to address the clean water issues in the community. First, Eric Paltell spoke about well water, how to maintain your well in good operating conditions and the best ways to get your well water tested. Cal Ewing discussed the use of biosolids, or sewage sludge, in rural areas, detailing their sources, benefits, and drawbacks. Lastly, Jamie McConnell spoke about our municipal water supply and how every community must keep a close eye on the burgeoning issues of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals) contamination and its effects on soils, wildlife, and humans and, importantly, how to avoid PFAS.

About half of the audience is on well water and half on municipal water so there was great interest in these topics and lively discussion ensued. The club’s Conservation Committee reflects Rotary International’s newest cause of Protecting the Environment with a focus on ensuring clean water, emphasizing rural communities in District 7610.

Submitted by: Jamie McConnell

Pictured: Rotarians Eric Paltell, Deanne Marshall, Jamie McConnell and Cal Ewing