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April 15, 2021

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What can I do to reduce the amount of stormwater pollution I contribute?

If you own a car, maintain it, so it does not leak oil or other fluids and if you wash the car at home, be sure to wash it on the grass or at a car wash, so the dirt and soap do not flow down the driveway and into the nearest storm drain.

If you own a yard, do not over fertilize your grass and never apply fertilizers or pesticides before a heavy rain. If fertilizer falls onto the driveway or sidewalks, sweep it up and throw it away or place back onto the grass. Make sure mulch, leaves, and grass clippings are not blown into or left in the street. Be sure to pick up all yard waste and place into a yard waste can at the curb or use it as compost to prevent yard waste from entering into the nearest storm drain.

Other things you can do to prevent runoff on your property is to turn your gutter downspouts away from hard surfaces – instead point them into flower beds, grassy areas, or consider building a rain garden to contain the water. To avoid erosion, seed or place sod down on bare spots in your yard.

If you have a septic system, maintain it properly by having it pumped every three to five years. If it is an older system, be sure it can still handle the volume placed on it today and never put any chemicals down septic systems – they can not only harm the system, but also can seep into the groundwater.

Pet owners should pick up after their pets and dispose of pet waste in the garbage.

Keep lawn and household chemicals tightly sealed and covered in a place where they will not get rained on. Dispose of old or unwanted chemicals at Under The Sink at 4001 South 12^th Street. Visit http://www.underthesink.org/ for more information.

Never put anything down a storm inlet!

And of course, do not litter!

previous post: UNL Urban Waters Fact Sheet

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