Used motor oil doesn't belong in the river

Nearly 3,000 Carson River watershed residents surveyed said they dumped motor oil down the drain, which could contaminate up to 3 billion gallons of water.

The latest in the series of Watershed Moments videos focuses on how to properly dispose of used motor oil to keep it out of the river and its tributaries.

As part of the “I am Carson River Watershed” Campaign, the Carson Water Subconservancy District has a series of public service announcements to help engage and inform Nevadans about steps they can take to foster a healthy watershed throughout 2022. The district is a multi-county and bi-state agency promoting action to conserve natural resources in the Carson River Watershed

‘Recycle Your Motor Oil’ highlights the hazardous effect of improper disposal of motor oil on water quality that just 1 gallon of motor oil can contaminate over a million gallons of water.

“We conducted a survey of Carson River Watershed residents in 2015. When residents were asked if they dump used motor oil down the drain, about 2 percent of the population replied yes. That calculates to nearly 3,000 people — or potentially 3 billion gallons of our water being polluted, yikes!” said Brenda Hunt, CWSD Watershed Program Manager. “Although we are hopeful people are not dumping used oil down the storm drains, this PSA really brings the message home! Recycle your used motor oil and any other vehicle fluid that needs replacement to keep our rivers, lakes and streams free of these toxic pollutants!”

When used motor oil is dumped into storm drains, on the ground, or is left to leak onto hard surfaces like roads and driveways; it can seep into our groundwater, or directly enter our waterways through the storm drains and ditches. This toxic oil mobilizes during rain or wet snow events entering our waterways untreated through the stormwater system, making the water unsafe for humans and wildlife.

Over the coming year, the Watershed Moments PSAs will highlight actions residents can take at home, at work, and while out and about in the community to contribute to healthier watershed and reduce polluted runoff. Recycling your used motor oil, opting for a car wash instead of washing cars at home, absorbing stormwater runoff on residential properties instead of sending it down storm drains, curbing chemical use (fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides), and picking up after pets are all personal actions CWSD says will lead to improved water quality for the Carson River Watershed. The videos are available in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles by scrolling and clicking on the Español button here.

Monthly promotional prizes will be given away to encourage watershed stewardship. Three February winners will each receive one free oil change at a shop located around the Carson River Watershed. Upcoming prizes will include free car washes, Carson Hot Springs passes, Nevada State Parks annual passes and more. To be eligible to win, participants must watch the PSAs on social media, YouTube or the I Am Carson River Watershed website, then complete the online pledge or add a photo or video of their own personal “watershed moment” in the comments section of the Carson River Watershed’sFacebook Page and Instagram Stories. Additionally, participants can comment and tag these “watershed moments” on Instagram using the #mywatershedmoment hashtag. Comments should highlight actions citizens take personally to help maintain a healthy Carson River Watershed.

Along with CWSD, this campaign is funded by a Clean Water Act 319(h) grant administered by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Water Quality Planning Branch. The Carson River is on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired waters in Nevada which is the main impetus for the “I am Carson River Watershed” campaign. NDEPs Nonpoint Source Program (NPS), works to preserve and enhance surface waters of the State by employing watershed planning and public outreach.

“The Watershed Moments campaign helps Northern Nevadans learn how even small changes can help protect the Carson River Watershed for future generations to enjoy,” said NPS Branch Manager Birgit Widegren. “These PSAs support our mission of preserving and restoring surface water resources for the benefit of the community and the plants and animals that call this area home.”

To learn more, visit https://iamcarsonriver.org and follow Carson River Watershed on Facebook and/or Instagram. For media inquiries, contact Brenda Hunt, brenda@cwsd.org or 775/887-9005.