Daily Conservation

So, you want to help protect our drinking water, rivers, lakes, and wetlands...but what can you do?  A lot!  Every thing you do, every single day, can have a positive or negative impact on the watershed.  Here are some simple things that can add-up to make a big difference.

10 EASY THINGS you can do to protect our streams:

1.  Street drains discharge directly into our rivers without any type of treatment.  Prevent trash, yard waste, and other pollutants from entering the drains.

2.  Conserve water at home.  Turn-off the water while washing your hands, only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when full, sweep off your porch and walk instead of hosing it off, and water your lawn in the morning.

3.  If you have a septic system, have it pumped and inspected a minimum of every 2-3 years.  Contact your Heath Department for more information.

4.  Clean up after your pets to prevent nutrients and bacteria from entering the water supply.

5.  Dispose of motor oil properly and fix oil, radiator, and transmission leaks from your car promptly.  Motor oil can be recycled free at various locations, contact your waste management service for details.

6.  Minimize fertilizer and pesticide use on your lawn.  Try manual or biological control before restoring to chemical applications.

7.  Use phosphate-free detergents.  Phosphates are not easily degraded and cause algae growth and pollution in our streams.

8.  Never dump cleaners, medication, or other toxic substances down your drains.

9.  Use sand or manually remove ice in the winter rather than applying salt.  If you must use salt, use it sparingly because it all goes straight to our rivers when the ice melts.

10.  Use biodegradable and natural cleaners in place of traditional chemical products.