You’ve no doubt heard the slogan “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” and that water is our most important natural resource. Here’s what you can do on your home property to minimize the amount and quality of runoff that reach our storm sewers which eventually reach our rivers and lakes.
- Keep street drains clear of leaves, debris and especially man-made waste material like paper, plastics and metal.
- Minimize your lawn care treatments to target only affected areas in the lawn. Do not blanket treat and be sure to consult with your lawn care service provider if you use one.
- Be an “H2O Hero” by setting up a rain barrel system(s) for your lawn and garden watering needs.
- Leave grass clippings and mowed leaves on your lawn to provide nutrients for healthy root growth and moisture retention.
- Compost leaves and food waste material for tilling into your beds and gardens to provide nutrients.
- Reuse coffee grounds around azaleas, blueberry plants and other acid-loving plants.
- Reuse composted materials to create new beds for gardens to reduce mowing which can reduce those costs and emissions.
- Create rain gardens or wildflower meadows to reduce mowing, detain runoff and provide natural filtration and permeation of water.
- Wash your car on your lawn to provide filtration of detergents to keep them out of the street’s storm sewer.
- Clean driveway spills with absorbent materials or biodegradable liquids rinsed to the lawn.
Most of all, be an ambassador for these practices in your neighborhood. Managing all of our water supplies and reducing waste materials going to landfills will help to ensure continued water quality for years to come.
