What can I do to prevent pollution?

Reducing stormwater pollution will lead to many ongoing benefits for the environment and our community.

Follow these tips:

Automotive Use and Care

• Inspect and maintain your vehicle regularly to prevent leaks of motor oil, coolant and other fluids.
• Take used motor oil, coolant and other fluids to an automotive repair shop or gas station that has a recycling program, or participate in a curbside motor oil pickup program.
• Use kitty litter to clean up leaks and spills instead of washing them into a street drain.
• Reduce air pollution by carpooling, using public transportation, riding a bike or walking — remember, precipitation absorbs the pollution in the air and transfers that pollution into stormwater runoff.

Household Maintenance

• Water-based paint and paint brushes should be rinsed out and drained into the sink.
• Oil-based paint, paint thinner, varnishes and solvents should be taken to a hazardous waste collection location or event in your community.
• Paint cans should be disposed of in the garbage once they are empty and dry.
• Sweep sidewalks and patios rather than using a water hose. Discard debris into the garbage.
• Do not apply lawn or garden fertilizers and pesticides when rain is forecasted.
• Rinse empty lawn and garden chemical containers three times. Each time you rinse, pour the rinse water into the applicator and use it in your application of the product.
• Shovel animal waste into sealed bags and discard in the garbage. Animal waste may also be flushed down the toilet.
• Throw all litter in covered trash containers.