Keep Water Clean

What you can do to prevent water pollution:

Fertilizer

• Sweep and collect any fertilizer from driveways and walkways.
• Avoid overusing fertilizers. Contact Cooperative Extension for assistance in learning correct amounts.
• Donate unwanted fertilizer to someone who can use it up.

Motor Oil

• Repair any leaks in your vehicle.
• Properly dispose of motor oil. Each year do-it-yourself motor oil changers improperly dispose of millions of gallons of used motor oil.

Paint

• Don't rinse painting equipment where the water can run into storm drains.
• Donate usable paint to a friend or a community group.
• If the paint is unusable or more than 10 years old, save it for a household hazardous waste collection.

Pesticides

• Minimize the use of pesticides. Contact Cooperative Extension to learn about Integrated Pest Management.
• Use the right pesticide for the right job.
• Follow label directions very carefully.
• Don't rinse pesticide application equipment where the water will run into a storm drain.

Pet Waste

• Pet waste is raw sewage. Dispose of it by flushing down the toilet or by burying it away from food-growing locations.

Street Litter and Plastics

• Don't throw garbage into the street or down storm drains.
• Put cigarette butts, fast food containers and other garbage into proper containers.
• Keep your property free of garbage and ask your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.

Yard Wastes

• Leaves and grass clippings can clog storm drains and cause flooding. Don't allow soil, leaves or grass clippings to accumulate on your driveway, sidewalk, or in the street.
• Collect leaves and grass clippings and compost them.
• If you wash your car at home, wash it in a grassy area.

Medications

• Don't flush prescription or over-the-counter medications down the toilet. Double-bag them and put them in the garbage.

Conserving clean water includes simple solutions so start doing your part today.