With more than 1,400 lakes and countless tributary streams and rivers that flow throughout Oakland County, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's (WRC) Environmental Team is committed to sharing resources and providing education to waterfront property owners on how to protect water quality at their own back door and beyond. The interface between land and water (known as the riparian zone) serves a multitude of essential functions such as:

• Maintaining stream flows
• Cycling nutrients
• Filtering chemicals and other pollutants from runoff
• Trapping and redistributing sediments
• Absorbing and detaining floodwaters
• Maintaining fish and wildlife habitats, and
• Supporting the food chain for a wide range of organisms 

Given that the number one source of water pollution today comes from storm water runoff that enters our lakes and streams without prior treatment, waterfront property owners have a special responsibility to protect our water resources. They are at the frontline of preventing pollution from property directly adjacent to our waterways. Although all human activities in a watershed can affect the water quality of our lakes and streams, activities adjacent to riparian zones are most critical.

With the help of a federal grant through the Rouge River Wet Weather Demonstration Project, the WRC Environmental Team produced a series of informational booklets and pamphlets for waterfront property owners. They outline a variety of actions to protect water quality and wildlife, as well as property values and the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Oakland County.

They can be viewed below or contact us if you would like a hard copy of any of these materials. By following Healthy Habits for Clean Water, you will learn how to minimize storm water runoff from your property. You'll also learn how to minimize pollutants from leaving your property and entering the water.

Waterfront Wisdom: Healthy Habits for Clean Water  (file size 26m)  This booklet provides a comprehensive look at the seven Healthy Habits for Clean Water. Individual pamphlets have also been developed on each Healthy Habit.

Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #1:

Minimize Storm Water Runoff from Your Property (file size 11m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #2:
Prevent Soil Erosion and Sedimentation (file size 5.9m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #3:
Maintain a Healthy Lawn and Garden (file size 5.7m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #4:
Plant and Maintain a Naturalized Shoreline or Stream Bank Buffer (file size 5.7m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #5:
Properly Manage Home, Yard and Animal Waste (file size 6.0m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #6:
Properly Maintain Your Septic System (file size 4.8m)

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Waterfront Wisdom-Healthy Habit #7:
Properly Maintain Your Boats and Other Recreational Vehicles (file size 5.7m)  

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To access more resources and information related to general water resource management topics, please click here.please click here.