Storm Water Education

1)           Caring For Your Car and the Environment

Car care and maintenance are important when trying to protect the environment. Many vehicle fluids can be hazardous, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluids, and radiator fluid. Even small quantities can contaminate water supplies and harm fish and wildlife.


Motor Oil Disposal :    Since more than 25% of all car owners change their own oil, knowing how to dispose of it properly is important. Any motor oil dumped into a storm drain will eventually end up in a nearby stream or lake.  If you change your oil, put the used oil in a sturdy container, label it, and take it to a local oil recycling location.

 
Clean-Up of Spills :    Use kitty litter or sawdust to absorb spills of any of these types of materials. Sweep up the absorbent after a few hours. For small spills, place the used absorbent in a strong plastic bag and place it in the trash. For large spills, (over 1 gallon of absorbent), take the material to a household hazardous waste disposal center.

 

Why We Put Dog Poo in Plastic Baggies!

Did you know that pet waste has bacteria that can make our streams and lakes unsafe for swimming? Pet waste left on sidewalks, streets, or yards can be washed into storm drains, which flow directly to our streams and lakes. Water with high concentrations of bacteria can cause human illness.

Prompt and Proper Disposal :  Dispose of your pet's waste by double wrapping it in a plastic bag and throwing it in the garbage.

Avoid Feeding Waterfowl :  Watch and enjoy the ducks and geese but avoid feeding them. Feeding these waterfowl is bad for them and can cause unnaturally high populations, which creates more animal waste. Like pet waste, waterfowl waste contributes pollutants to our streams and lakes.

Is Your Home Hazardous?


Many of the products we use in our homes every day are hazardous. If they are disposed of improperly, these products can end up in nearby streams and lakes and harm fish and wildlife.

A product is considered hazardous if it is toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. Always check the label to see if a product is hazardous. The label may have a picture of a skull and cross bones or contain the words WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, or POISON.

To protect our environment, follow these tips:

 

Do you have a Septic System?

A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil. The tank holds wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out. The remaining liquid exits the tank into the drainfield. Microbes in the soil will digest or remove most contaminants from the wastewater before it eventually reaches groundwater.

If properly maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars.

To prevent septic system failures, hire a professional to pump out your septic system every three to five years. Local professionals and licensed contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under the heading “Septic Tank & Systems-Cleaning.”

 

Healthy Lawns and Gardens

Healthy lawn and garden practices can save homeowners time and money and promote a beautiful landscape. You can help prevent pollution of nearby streams and lakes by following these healthy lawn and garden tips.

  1. Select native plants suited for the site and climate conditions.
  2. Mow your grass at a high setting and leave the grass clippings on the lawn.
  3. Mix grass clippings with leaves and soil to make a backyard compost pile.
  4. Use mulch (shredded leaves, grass clippings, or compost) to control weeds, retain moisture, and build fertile soils.
  5. Reduce the use of insecticides, herbicides, and other chemicals on your lawn or garden.
  6. Select a no-phosphorus or low-phosphorus fertilizer.