Welcome to the Fall edition of One Water, where we bring together some insights on stormwater management, wastewater, conservation, stewardship, and future planning. As the seasons change, so do the challenges and opportunities in our water systems. From managing the impacts of autumn rains on stormwater runoff to preserving and conserving water, this edition explores the critical connections between our water resources and thoughtful management. With this in mind, we can sustain our resources for generations to come. Dive in to discover how we can all play a part in protecting and preserving our most vital resource—water.

Irrigation Shutoff

As the fall months approach in Tumwater, it's crucial for community members to properly shut off their irrigation systems. Turning off irrigation not only conserves water but also helps prevent damage to your system during freezing temperatures. Continuing to water during the rainy season can lead to over-saturation, which harms plants and contributes to stormwater runoff, carrying pollutants into our waterways. Here are a few ways to winterize your system:

• Turn Off the Water Supply
• Drain the System
• Insulate Exposed Pipes and Valves
• Remove and Store Hoses
• Shut Down the Controller
• Inspect and Clean Components
• Cover the Backflow Preventer

Taking these simple steps ensures your garden is prepared for the colder months and helps maintain the health and integrity of our local environment. By winterizing your irrigation system, you protect it from potential damage and reduce unnecessary water waste, aligning with our community's sustainability goals.

FOGs

Picture this: you’re in your kitchen whipping up a culinary masterpiece, and you’ve got some leftover fats, oils, grease (FOG) to deal with. Don't Dump It Down the Drain. It might seem harmless, but if you let it go down the drain, it turns into a plumbing problem and your worst nightmare. FOG solidifies and sticks to the pipe walls, causing nasty clogs and those dreaded sewer line backups.

We’ve got some solutions for you to prevent this mess from happening to you!

• The Freeze: Scrape or pour your FOGs into an empty can. Pop the can in the freezer until it’s full, then bag it and toss it in the trash.
• Paper Towel: Before you rinse pans and dishes, give them a quick wipe with a paper towel.
• Dump it: If you’ve done some deep frying and need to dispose of a lot of used cooking oil, take it to Thurston County’s HazoHouse, where they offer free residential cooking oil recycling. Give them a call at (360) 867-2912 for more details.

Hazo House Drop-off Site: 2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey, WA 9851.

By following these simple steps, you’ll not only protect your home’s pipes but also help safeguard the 110 miles of city sewer pipes. That’s a lot of pipes!

First Flush & Stormwater

As fall arrives in Tumwater, we ask that community members keep yards and streets clear of harmful pollutants and contaminants before the first flush event. The first heavy rain of the season washes accumulated debris, chemicals, and waste into storm drains, leading directly to our rivers and streams. This "first flush" can significantly impact water quality, harming aquatic life and polluting our drinking water sources. By properly disposing of leaves, trash, pet waste, and fixing leaking vehicles, we can prevent these pollutants from entering our waterways. Regularly maintaining your yard and ensuring streets are clean helps protect our environment and keep our communities healthy. Let's work together to reduce pollution and safeguard our precious water resources this fall.

Leaf Litter

When leaves fall from trees, it's a sign that summer is reaching its end, and the cozy autumn season has arrived. As you manage your yard waste, keep in mind that leaf litter can be used in several useful ways. You can use it for compost, as a protective layer for garden beds to prevent weeds, and even on your lawn. This fall, consider mowing over the leaves on your lawn and letting them break down into the soil. This adds nutrients to the soil, which is good for your grass, especially during the winter. Using a mulching mower cuts leaves into smaller pieces, which helps them break down faster.

If leaf litter isn't managed properly, it can cause problems. Leaves blown onto the road can block storm drains, clog pipes, and cause your street to flood. When leaves are left on the road, they release phosphorus into the water, which can cause issues like algae blooms that harm water quality.

It's important not to intentionally push or rake leaves into the street. It's costly for the city to collect and dispose of leaves and it's against the law! When leaves are collected in a street sweeper, they mix with dirt and pollutants and can't be turned into useful compost.

With your cooperation and a bit of effort, we can keep leaf nutrients in our yards, prevent them from polluting our streams, reduce flooding, and avoid expensive leaf disposal.

Conservation & Stewardship

Tumwater Stream Team is excited to offer several opportunities for our community this fall. We're thrilled to introduce our new online Salmon Steward Training Program, perfect for those interested in becoming Salmon Steward? This in-depth series provides a comprehensive look at the salmon lifecycle, highlighting its importance to our community and the rich history of our region. We guarantee that after learning about this incredible species, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the natural wonders right in our backyard.  To register for this and other opportunities, visit the Stream Team Events page.

If you prefer an in-person, hands-on experience, join us for Second Saturday at Sapp Road Park! We're now entering our seventh month of restoration efforts. There's still plenty of work to be done, that's the nature of restoration—it's a long-term commitment to protecting our critical areas and natural spaces.

Over the past months, Sapp Road has been buzzing with activity. Students from the Tumwater School District, University of Washington, and community members all participated towards conducting research, learning about restoration and habitat management, and getting their hands dirty to advance efforts to help create a healthier ecosystem.

As we move into fall and winter, we'll be preparing the area for future planting. Much of the weed barrier has been removed, with more to go, but it's time to start thinking about new growth. If you haven't joined us yet, we encourage you to come and be a part of this important work! Register for this and other opportunities through the Stream Team Events page

Home Energy Scores

Tumwater, along with Thurston County, Lacey, and Olympia are working together to draft an Ordinance that would encourage home efficiency audits, called Home Energy Scores, to be completed and disclosed when listing single-family and duplexes to four-plex homes for sale in the region. This is intended to help both climate and housing affordability efforts by ensuring that homebuyers have a good idea of the energy bill costs for homes they’re considering buying. This information can also help homeowners and homebuyers identify opportunities and funding/incentives to increase the efficiency of the home.

The audits themselves cost between $150 and $300 and stay valid for eight (8) years unless significant renovation occurs which could impact efficiency. Tumwater is working hard to subsidize the cost of these audits for low-and moderate-income homeowners. The County and Cities held focus groups over the summer with key stakeholders to help design the Ordinance, but we are always looking for feedback from our residents. If you have questions or concerns about this potential Ordinance, please reach out to Alyssa Jones Wood, Sustainability Coordinator at (360) 754-4140.

Get involved in the Comprehensive Plan Process

The City of Tumwater is in the process of updating its City Comprehensive Plan, or the vision, goals, and policies that will guide the City’s growth over the next twenty years. This year, that includes the creation of a new chapter of the Comprehensive Plan dedicated to Climate Change. The City is hosting multiple public meetings and seeks public input on drafts of the different chapters (called “Elements”). Visit the City 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update webpage for information about what has been done so far and how you can get involved.