What Should I Know?
Quick and simple solutions to preventing or minimizing storm water pollution that You can do!
Pet Owners
Did you know that 95% of bacteria found in urban stormwater was of nonhuman origin? That’s right! According to a 1996 study by Alderserio and others, the host animals that contribute about 20% of the bacteria come from our dogs.
Dog Owners’ Rationale for Picking Up or Not Picking Up After Their Dog
(According to a study by HGIC, 1996)
Reasons for not picking it up:
- Because it eventually goes away
- Just Because
- Too much work
- On edge of my property
- It's in my yard
- It's in the woods
- Not prepared
- No reason
- Small dog, small waste
- Use as fertilizer
- Sanitary reasons
- Own a cat or other kind of pet
|
Reasons for picking it up:
- It’s the law
- Environmental reasons
- Hygiene/health reasons
- Neighborhood courtesy
- It should be done
- Keep the yard clean
|
Remember to always clean up after your dog, for the health of all of our wetlands, lakes and rivers!
Car Owners
Did You Know...
- Each year, over 180 million gallons of used oil is disposed of improperly!
- A single quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water! (Alameda CCWP, 1992)
Our automobiles may generate a great deal of waste if we are not careful when cleaning automobile parts, changing vehicle fluids, and when we replace or repair equipment.
Some waste generated from our automobiles include:
- Solvents (paints and paint thinners)
- Antifreeze
- Brake Fluid and Brake Lining
- Batteries
- Motor Oils
- Fuels
- Lubricating Grease
Helpful Tips for the Car Owner
- Use as little water as possible to clean spills and drips
- Clean up spills immediately. Use rags for small spills and dry absorbent for larger spills
- Seal off floor drains or buy drain mats
- Keep solvents to a minimum to make recycling easier
- Do all liquid cleaning in one area to ensure all residues stay in one area
- Use drip pans and draining boards to direct solvents into a solvent sink or tank
- Recycle your old engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and hydraulic fluid. Be sure to purchase recycled products next time. Read up on where to recycle fluids on our Pollution Prevention page.
- Store cracked batteries in leakproof containers
Where do you wash your car?
Between 70 and 90% of Washington residents reported that their car wash water drained directly to the street, and presumably to the nearest stream. (CWP, 1999).
Prevent soap chemicals from entering our rivers, lakes and wetlands by:
- Using a commercial carwash (this way, the wash water will get treated at a wastewater facility)
- Washing your car on your lawn or other permeable surface
- Using only biodegradable soaps
Contaminants Found in Your Car Wash Water
- Oil and grease contain benzene, lead, zinc, chromium, arsenic, and other metals
- Detergents that can be poisonous to fish
- Phosphates, which cause excessive growth in water communities
- Chemicals
Remember to always clean up spills and be aware of where your car wash water drains... for the health of all of our wetlands, lakes and rivers!
Home Owners
Storm Drains
Only rain in the storm drain! We can work together to prevent excess nutrients from entering our lakes, wetlands and rivers.
Did you know that our storm drains discharge directly into our lakes, wetlands and rivers???
Stormwater carries phosphorus and other nutrients into our water ways. The stormwater does not get treated at a wastewater treatment facility, so be careful about what may spill on your driveway or lawn and could get washed into the storm drain.
Helpful Tips Homeowners can Follow
- Act as a guardian to keep storm drains near your home free of leaves and sediment. Sweep the debris up and dispose of it in the garbage.
- Be sure to use phosphorus-free fertilizer and apply according to the directions on the package.
- Wash your car at a commercial car wash or on your lawn to reduce runoff of chemicals into waterways.
- Pick up after your pets, and if you have a septic tank, make sure it is maintenanced regularly.
- Mow higher! Raise the mower blade on your lawn mower. Longer grass blades above ground mean deeper roots beneath the surface. The grass can absorb more moisture and nutrients, and prevent germination of weeds by creating more shade during weed germination. Less watering, pesticides, fertilizer and work will be required of your lawn.
Read more helpful tips to find ways you can help keep our lakes, wetlands and rivers clean and healthy!
Lawn Care
Did you know that a common cause of water pollution is phosphorus runoff?
In response to this, Minnesota has a law restricting the use of phosphorus lawn fertilizer. Although phosphorus is important for grass growth, many lawns already have enough phosphorus in the soil. The excess phosphorous will only run off into nearby waterways.
If you suspect your lawn is in need of phosphorus, test the soil first before using a phosphorus lawn fertilizer. For more information, contact the
University of Minnesota Soil Test Lab.
Nitrogen, not phosphorus, greens up grass. Phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer still contains nitrogen, the plant nutrient that greens up grass. Be sure to buy a Phosphorous-free fertilizer such as a 10-0-10 fertilizer!
Remember...look for the middle number in the string of three numbers on a fertilizer bag. Phosphorus-free fertilizers have zero as the middle number!
Helpful Tips for Your Lawn Care
- Control soil erosion by covering soil with vegetation or mulch. Phosphorous clings to soil. By preventing soil erosion, we are preventing phosphorous runoff!
- Always read and follow label directions when using and disposing of lawn care products and containers.
- Use 10-0-10 phosphorus-free fertilizer and do not use more than recommended on package.
- Fill granular fertilizer spreaders on easy to clean surfaces. Then dispose of extra in grassy areas to prevent runoff.
- Close the gate on your fertilizer spreader when crossing sidewalks and driveways.
- Avoid applying fertilizers directly into surface water or onto frozen ground.
- Don't over-water your sandy soil—you’ll increase nitrogen loss into groundwater. Watering a lot can increase leaching potential leaving your grass barren of nitrogen. Minimize leaching by watering just enough to compensate for plant uptake and evaporation.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. The clippings help recycle important plant nutrients.
- Mow higher! Raise the mower blade on your lawn mower. Longer grass blades above ground mean deeper roots beneath the surface. The grass can absorb more moisture and nutrients, and prevent germination of weeds by creating more shade during weed germination. Less watering, pesticides, fertilizer and work will be required of your lawn.
Fertilizers containing phosphorus cannot be used on lawns in Minnesota unless the following exceptions apply:
- A new lawn is being established by seeding or laying sod,
- Soil testing shows need for phosphorus fertilization, or
- Fertilizer is being applied to a golf course by trained staff.
Gardening
How we care for our yards and gardens affects the health of our rivers, lakes and wetlands!
Helpful Tips for Gardening
- Clean gutters regularly. Direct water from downspouts toward lawns and gardens, not paved surfaces.
- Capture excess rain water from your rooftop by using a rain barrel. Then, slowly water your garden and lawn with the rain barrel water and save money on your next water bill.
- Remove pet waste, leaves and trash from streets, sidewalks and driveways and put into the garbage.
- Natural landscapes soak up the rain. Create a rain garden or a green rooftop!
- Act as a guardian and keep leaves, sediment and grass clippings from entering the storm drain near your home by sweeping them up.
- Use alternatives to pesticides. Pull weeds by hand or spot treat weedy areas instead of your entire yard.
Household Hazardous Waste
Dispose of all household hazardous wastes correctly! Together, we can protect our waterways!
Do not dump any household products down the storm drain! To learn how to dispose of household hazardous wastes correctly, click the link to
Pollution Prevention.
Septic Systems
Harmful bacteria can enter our waterways from a septic system that is not properly maintained.
Septic systems are designed to separate solids from liquids. When a septic system works properly, bacterial decomposition of larger particles takes place in a holding tank and liquids filter through the drainage field into the soil.
Bacteria can enter waterways when the system fails. To ensure that your septic system doesn’t fail, follow these helpful tips:
- Have your septic system inspected annually, before any signs of failure are present.
- Keep maintenance records of when your septic was inspected and pumped.
- Don’t cover your drainage field with impermeable surfaces that can block gas exchange.
- Household chemicals can kill the bacteria that make the system work, so use caution when disposing of, or using, liquids.
For more information about your septic system visit the Environmental Protection Agency website,
A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems.
For Construction Companies
Owners and operators of construction companies that disturb one or more acres of land need to comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Construction
Stormwater General Permit according to the MPCA.
Q:
Why do owners and operators of construction companies need to be concerned about runoff?
A: The quantity and quality of runoff is a concern because they effect the health of our waterways. During construction, more sediment can wash into streams than under natural circumstances. Also, the sediment from construction sites can carry pollutants such as pesticides and chemicals.
Learn more about construction site runoff at the MPCA's
Stormwater Program web site.
Green Rooftops
A green rooftop is a thin layer of vegetation on top of a roof. Grass, to shrubs or even trees can be grown on flat or slightly sloped rooftops!
Not only do green rooftops and gardens provide an aesthetic appeal to your home or business, they:
- Minimize stormwater runoff, erosion and pollution
- Reduce urban heat-island effects, cool and clean the air
- Prolong the life of the roof
- Conserve energy
- Reduce sound reflection
- Create habitat
Be careful! be sure to check the load-bearing capacity of your roof before you create your green rooftop and consult a professional before any major work begins.
Check out these websites on Green Rooftops for more information
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is a collection system that stores rooftop water during a rain storm.
Why would I use a rain barrel?
Some advantages to using rain barrels are:
- A less costly water bill
- Less demand for chlorinated tap water during the long, hot summer
- Less pollution by stopping oil, grease, bacteria and nutrients from directly entering our waterways
The water captured in rain barrels can be used for lawn and flower garden watering, and car washing.
You can purchase a rain barrel at most major lawn or garden centers. Be sure to call first to see if they sell them, or to see if they can order them for you.
For more information, be sure to check out these web sites:
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens are beautiful additions to your home that will help protect your favorite lake, river or wetland! These gardens are designed to help collect and control rain water, and prevent stormwater pollution from entering our waterways.
Creating a rain garden requires 3 things:
- LOCATION - Create your rain garden near impermeable surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and even under your household gutter.
- LANDSCAPING - Design your garden to have a depression where water can gather.
- PLANTS - Use native flowers, grasses and shrubs in order to minimize the fertilizer and pesticides required by non-native species.
For more information about rain gardens, check out these web sites:
References
Alameda Countrywide Clean Water Program (CCWP). 1992. Keeping it all in tune: Car repair and pollution prevention. Alameda Countrywide Clean Water Program. Hayward, CA.
Alderserio, K., D. Wait and M. Sobsey. 1996. Detection and Characterization of Male-Specific RNA Coliphages in a New York City Reservoir to Distinguish Between Human and Non-human Sources of Contamination. Proceedings of a Symposium on New York City Water Supply Studies, ed. McDonnell et al. TPS-96-2. American Water Resources Association. Herndon, VA.
Center for Watershed Protection (CWP). 1999. On Watershed Behavior. Watershed Protection Techniques. 3 (2).
Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC). 1996. Residential Fertilizer Use Survey. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. College Park, MD. Unpublished Surveys.
