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--- Document: Solutions to Stormwater Pollution Document ---
olutions to
Stormwater Pollution
Easy Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Our Water
A Guide to Healthy Habits for
Cleaner Water
P
ollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is
washed by rain into storm drains, then directly
to our drinking water supplies and the ocean
and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil,
pesticides, detergents, pet waste, grass clippings: You
name it and it ends up in our water.
Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey's greatest
threats to clean and plentiful water, and that's why
we're all doing something about it.
By sharing the responsibility and making small, easy
changes in our daily lives, we can keep common
pollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to cleaner
water, and it saves the high cost of cleaning up once
it's dirty.
As part of New Jersey's initiative to keep our water
clean and plentiful and to meet federal requirements,
many municipalities and other public agencies including
colleges and military bases
must adopt ordinances or
other rules prohibiting
various activities that
contribute to stormwater
pollution. Breaking these
rules can result in fines or
other penalties.
As a resident,
business, or
other member of
the New Jersey
community, it is
important to know
these easy
things you can
do every day to
protect our
water.
Limit your use of
fertilizers and
pesticides
Do a soil test to see if
you need a fertilizer.
Π Do not apply fertilizers
if heavy rain is predicted.
Π Look into alternatives
for pesticides.
Π Maintain a small lawn
and keep the rest of your
property or yard in a
natural state with trees and
other native vegetation
that requires little or no
fertilizer.
Π If you use fertilizers
and pesticides, follow the
instructions on the label on
how to correctly apply it.
Make sure you properly
store or discard any
unused portions.
Properly use and
dispose of
hazardous
products
Hazardous products
include some household or
commercial cleaning
products, lawn and garden
care products, motor oil,
antifreeze, and paints.
Π
Do not pour any
hazardous products
down a storm drain
because storm drains are
usually connected to local
waterbodies and the water
is not treated.
■ If you have hazardous
products in your home or
workplace, make sure
you store or dispose of
them properly. Read the
label for guidance.
Use natural or less
toxic alternatives when
possible.
■ Recycle used motor oil.
■ Contact your
municipality, county or
facility management office
for the locations of
hazardous-waste disposal
facilities.
Keep pollution
out of storm
drains
Π
Municipalities and
many other public agencies
are required to mark
certain storm drain inlets
with messages reminding
people that storm drains
are connected to local
waterbodies.
Do not let sewage or
other wastes flow into a
stormwater system.
Clean up after
your pet
■ Many municipalities
and public agencies must
enact and enforce local
pet-waste rules.
An example is
requiring pet owners or
their keepers to pick up
and properly dispose of
pet waste dropped on
public or other people's
property.
Make sure you know
your town's or agency's
requirements and comply
with them. It's the law.
And remember to:
■ Use newspaper, bags
or pooper-scoopers to
pick up wastes.
■ Dispose of the
wrapped pet waste
in the trash or un-
wrapped in a toilet.
■ Never discard pet
waste in a storm drain.
Don't feed
wildlife
Π Do not feed wildlife,
such as ducks and geese, in
public areas.
■ Many municipalities and
other public agencies must
enact and enforce a rule that
prohibits wildlife feeding in
these areas.
OF
Don't litter
■ Place litter in trash
receptacles.
■ Recycle. Recycle.
Recycle.
Participate in
community cleanups.
Contact information
Dispose of yard
waste properly
Keep leaves and grass
out of storm drains.
■ If your municipality or
agency has yard waste
collection rules, follow
them.
Π
Use leaves and grass
clippings as a resource for
compost.
Π Use a mulching
mower that recycles grass
clippings into the lawn.
For more information on stormwater related topics, visit
www.njstormwater.org or www.nonpointsource.org
Additional information is also available at U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency Web sites
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater or www.epa.gov/nps
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water Quality
Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control
Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program
(609) 633-7021
ENVIRONMENTA
NEW JERSEY NOLLO
www.cleanwaternj.org (LEAN WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey