We’ve all seen it: paper, aluminum cans, plastic wrappers, unwanted food, plastic bags and bottles, cigarette butts, diapers and more on the side of the road or on the sidewalk. Small amounts of litter around your home and neighborhood contribute to a big water quality problem. Trash and litter clog storm drains and cause flooding, which can damage homes and businesses. Trash and litter that does pass through the storm drain or travel down a drainage ditch washes directly into nearby rivers and streams, harming drinking water supplies, wildlife and recreational use of our rivers and streams.

• Never put anything in the storm drain or drainage ditch.
• Properly dispose of trash before it becomes litter.
• Keep garbage can lids secure.
• If you see litter and trash in your neighborhood, pick it up and properly dispose of it.

Information provided by www.cleanwatercampaign.org

When pet waste is left on sidewalks and lawns, it is carried into nearby rivers, lakes and streams when it rains, polluting the water and creating a health hazard for people. Whether you live in a big city, small town or rural area, picking up after your pet is part of being a good neighbor and responsible pet owner. And in most places, it’s the law.

Doing the right thing is easy. Pick up after your pet every time. SCOOP the poop, BAG it, TIE it closed and TOSS it in the trash.

• When walking your pet, take a bag with you. Tie the bags on the leash if you don’t have a pocket or pack.
• Keep a supply of bags handy near your dog leash, by the door or in your car.
• When at home, long-handled “pooper scoopers,” available at pet stores, make it easy to pick up after pets without bending over.
• Make use of “pet waste stations” in your neighborhood or local park.
• Help spread the word! Talk to your family and friends about stormwater pollution and picking up after their pets.

Information provided by www.cleanwatercampaign.org

Your yard may not be as “green” as you think. Excess fertilizer and pesticides can wash off your lawn when it rains and pollute nearby rivers and streams. Yard waste such as leaves, and grass clippings can clog storm drains and harm water quality. It’s especially important not to rake or blow grass clippings, leaves, or any yard debris into the street as these can be easily washed into catch basins during storms.

How you care for your lawn and yard can have a great impact on the water quality of our local rivers, lakes and streams. Be the solution to water pollution by following these tips and make sure anyone who helps you with yard maintenance follows them too.

• Add plants to bare areas in your yard or cover with mulch to avoid soil erosion.
• Refuel and wash lawn equipment away from streams or where runoff drains to a storm drain or drainage ditch.
• Properly dispose of old oil, gasoline and yard chemicals.
• Inspect irrigation systems periodically to ensure that runoff is not occurring.
• Consider installing a rain barrel to reduce runoff from your property.

• Consider using native plants. They require less maintenance and chemicals.
• Follow all product instructions for proper application of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Properly identify weeds, diseases or insects before applying a pesticide. Spot treat only affected areas.
• Close spreaders when going over pavement, bare soil and other non-vegetated areas.
• Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides during drought conditions or when heavy rain is predicted.
• Store fertilizers and pesticides in enclosed, covered areas.

• Don’t blow grass clippings and leaves in the street or down a storm drain. These can clog the storm drain and other stormwater infrastructure and could cause backups and flooding in your yard or street.
• Compost grass clippings, plant trimmings, leaves and other plant material, or bag them for curbside pick-up.
• Another option is to leave grass clippings or leaves on the lawn. Use your lawn mower to shred leaves into smaller pieces so they break down more quickly. Leaves and grass clippings release nutrients as they break down providing you with a chemical free, no-cost fertilizer. Plus, you save time by not bagging all the clippings and leaves.

Information provided by www.cleanwatercampaign.org

Many people wash their vehicles at home, but doing so on your driveway or street can pollute nearby rivers, lakes and streams. All of the soapy water runs down a curb and into the nearest storm drain where it flows right into a river or stream. Soap and detergents pollute water with ingredients such as phosphorus and other harsh cleaning chemicals. Used rinse water can contain oils and grease, suspended solids, heavy metals and other toxic substances that pollute water.

The next time you wash your car or truck, think about all of the pollutants that collect on your vehicle that make it dirty. Then, think about where your soapy water could end up. Be the solution to water pollution by following either tip:

Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash that recycles water. Commercial car washes are better than your driveway because their drains are connected to a sewer system and the wastewater will be sent to and cleaned by a wastewater treatment plant.

– OR –

If you must wash off your vehicle at home, do it on a part of your yard where the grass and/or soil can serve as a natural filter to absorb pollutants.

• Use products that will not harm the environment.
• Use an auto-shut off nozzle or low-volume or pressure to reduce over spraying and wasting water.
• Wash your vehicle when needed rather than once a week.

Information provided by www.cleanwatercampaign.org

Oil, antifreeze and other fluids from your vehicle that end up on your driveway or street will eventually be carried by stormwater to the nearest river, lake or stream when it rains. Small oil leaks and other vehicle fluids can add up to a big problem for our waterways.

• Never dispose of vehicle fluids into a storm drain or drainage ditch. Recycle oil and other fluids.
• Inspect and maintain your car regularly to prevent leaks of oil, coolant and other vehicle fluids.
• Never work on a vehicle in the street or near a stormwater drain or drainage ditch.
• Perform maintenance work on a flat concrete surface where spills can be easily cleaned up.
• Place a tarp, ground cloth, sheet of plywood, cardboard or newspaper under a vehicle to capture any leaks or spills.
• Always use a funnel when pouring liquids to avoid spills.
• Use a drip pan under a vehicle when changing fluids, unscrewing filters and removing other parts that might leak.
• Immediately clean up vehicle fluid spills with rags or other absorbent materials such as kitty litter, sawdust or oil absorbent.
• Recycle used tires and batteries.
• Go to www.earth911.com to find a local parts stores and service stations in your community that will recycle vehicle fluids, batteries, oil filters and parts.

Information provided by www.cleanwatercampaign.org