Here are a few tips for preventing storm water pollution from your yard:
- Try to clean up after your pet before it rains and dispose of the waste in a garbage can or flush it down the toilet.
- Adequately contain your curbside trash so that it won’t leak, fall over, or blow around.
- Preserve established trees in your yard and neighborhood.
- Don’t overuse fertilizers and pesticides, if you choose to use them.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and ground covers that filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff.
- Don’t cut your grass too short. Adjust your lawnmower to the proper height to reduce runoff from lawns.
- Choose to plant native vegetation and or plants that require little or no fertilizer.
- Don’t overwater your plants and lawn. Make sure water doesn’t wash over streets and sidewalks.
- Recycle yard debris, or use it to make compost, instead of raking it into streets where it can wash into storm sewers.
- Compost or mulch can help to hold moisture in the soil and control weeds.
- Sweep your garage and driveway into a dustpan rather than into the street.