I have a year round creek in my back yard and a pump to use to move the water to use in the yard, but an urban creek is probably polluted, so I've never gotten around to using that pump. And yes, there is fracking in this area. No wells that I know of to be impacted in this urban setting, but that doesn't mean the groundwater and surface sources aren't impacted.

A run to the recycle bin is due (paper, cardboard, plastic, glass); since the weekend is a busy time for neighbors the bins will be full so I probably need to wait till Tuesday (after the bins are emptied). Jon, I separate out the electrical devices for an e-waste disposal service (this stuff goes there along with batteries, discs, cassettes, etc.) I compost yard waste, and don't put out trash often. I have some stuff that needs to go to a hazardous waste pickup (I've been organic for years but there are a few bottles from the old days that need disposal). That's difficult, city and county jurisdictions have different rules about where you can leave this stuff. My village doesn't pay into the county disposal plan so I have to watch for a general community collection event.