Tips for Residents

Healthy Household Habits for Clean Water
By practicing healthy household habits, homeowners can keep common pollutants such as pesticides, pet waste, grass clippings and automotive fluids off the ground and out of stormwater. Adopt these healthy household habits and help protect lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands and coastal waters. Remember to share the habits with your neighbors.

Vehicle and GarageVehicle and Garage
  • Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain and eventually into your local stream, lake or river.
  • Check your car, boat, motorcycle, and other machinery and equipment for leaks and spills. Make repairs as soon as possible. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material such as kitty litter or sand, and don’t rinse the spills into a nearby storm drain. Remember to properly dispose of the absorbent material.
  • Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at participating service stations. Don’t dump these chemicals down the storm drain or dispose of them in your trash.
Lawn and GardenLawn and Garden
  • Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise, chemicals will be washed into your local stream.
  • Select native plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides.
  • Sweep up yard debris rather than hosing down areas. Compost or recycle yard waste when possible.
  • Don’t overwater your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and don’t let water runoff into the storm drain.
  • Cover piles of dirt and mulch being used in landscaping projects to prevent these pollutants from blowing or washing off your yard and into your local stream, lake or river. Vegetate bare spots in your yard to prevent soil erosion.
Home Repair and ImprovementHome Repair and Improvement
  • Before beginning an outdoor project, locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris and other materials.
  • Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
  • Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible, and follow the directions on the label. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely. Store substances properly to avoid leaks and spills.
  • Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled and recyclable products whenever possible.
  • Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program or donate unused paint to local organizations.
  • Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Use native plants in your landscaping to reduce the need for watering during dry periods. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns and other measures to increase infiltration and reduce polluted runoff.
Pet CarePet Care
  • When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies.

Swimming Pool and SpaSwimming Pool and Spa
  • Drain your swimming pool only when a test kit does not detect chlorine levels.
  • Properly store pool and spa chemicals to prevent leaks and spills, preferably in a covered area, to avoid exposure to stormwater.



Septic System Use and MaintenanceSeptic System Use and Maintenance
  • Have your septic system inspected by a professional at least every 3 years, and have the septic tank pumped as necessary (usually every 3 to 5 years.)
  • Care for the septic system drain field by not driving or parking vehicles on it.
  • Plant only grass over and near the drain field to avoid damage from roots.
  • Flush responsibly. Flushing household chemicals such as paint, pesticides, oil, and antifreeze can destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system. Other items, such as diapers, paper towels and cat litter can clog the septic system and potentially damage components.

get notified Stay up-to-date on what is happening by. . . .