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What can you do?

Follow the tips below to stop small, individual activities that cause pollution and result in large-scale pollution.
10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Storm water Runoff Pollution:

  1. Remember: Only rain belongs in the drain! Don’t dump anything down storm drains. Be sure to clear away leaves and debris.
  2. Clean up pet waste. Bag up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash to prevent harmful bacteria from washing into local waterways.
  3. Keep your car well-maintained. Fix any fluid leaks promptly and make sure to clean-up any spills.
  4. Wash your car at a commercial car wash rather than in the street or in your driveway. If you wash your car at home, wash it on your lawn.
  5. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider planting a rain garden or installing a rain barrel to collect the storm water.
  6. Cut down on fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. If you use these chemicals, follow directions and use them sparingly. Don’t fertilize before a rainstorm.
  7. Reduce impervious surfaces at home and increase the vegetated land cover of your property. Use bricks, gravel, cobbles, natural stone, or permeable pavers instead of asphalt or concrete when possible.
  8. Do not drain your pool or hot tub to a storm drain. Allow chlorine to dissipate for several days and test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area.
  9. Walk, bike, or share a ride when possible. Driving causes particulates to enter our air. Air pollution can contaminate rain and end up in our rivers and streams.
  10. Share your knowledge with your friends, colleagues and neighbors!
Tag: storm-water
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