Chapter one of the Home a Syst water quality self assessment will help become familiar with your homesite-and how you manage it-so you can recognize risks to water resources. Completing the chapter will give you background information you can use throughout the the other sections of the self assessment. Chapter 1 focuses on Identifying the the physical characteristics of your homesite

Physical characteristics important to water quality include soil type and depth; depth to bedrock; depth to the water table; and location of wetlands , streams or other surface waters. While being aware of these characteristics is important, mapping your homesite can provide you with a powerful visual aid helping you to manage hazards to water quality around your homesite.

Why you need to examine your home's physical characteristics and how you manage your home

What you do in and around your home can affect water quality both below the ground and in nearby lakes, streams, wetlands or coastal ponds. Identifying some important characteristics of your homesite-such as soil type, geology, depth to groundwater and nearness to surface water-will help you understand how the land around your home can aid or complicate-your efforts to protect water quality.

Remember: This assessment is merely a starting point meant to encourage you to complete some, or all of the other Home a Syst chapters and to help you start thinking about how your habits and site conditions can threaten water quality.