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Easy Things You Can Do to Clean Up Our Waters
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Don't dump chemicals, pet waste, yard waste, or other garbage into storm ditches, culverts, storm sewers, storm drains, or catch basins.
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40% of water pollution is caused by motor oil which is 100% recyclable. If you change your own oil, dispose of it properly. Many auto shops and oil change businesses take recycled oil. Or, if your area has hazardous waste disposal events, save it for one of those.
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Clean up leaves and grass clippings that accumulate on your driveway, sidewalk, or street. Never dump yard waste along stream banks, over hill sides, or into the street.
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Wash your car at a commercial car wash, or, if you must wash your car at home, do so on the lawn.
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Minimize your use of salt on driveways and sidewalks.
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Sweep (do not wash) fertilizer and soil off of driveways and sidewalks.
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If you use a septic system, make sure it is maintained in good working order.
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Cover or seed all bare soil and preserve stream side vegetation. Sedimentation (or soil) is our number one water pollutant by volume.
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Avoid overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. Test your soils to determine the amount needed and apply only when necessary.
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Store household chemicals, such as oil, gasoline, antifreeze, paint, stain, and pesticides, properly. For proper disposal procedures, call your local jurisdiction.
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Pick up litter whenever you see it. This includes cigarette butts. The filters take 10 years to decompose and can contaminate our waterways.
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Want to do more? Follow these links for more things you can do to help save our water.
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