Document Text
--- Document: Solutions to Stormwater Pollution Document ---
Solutions to
Stormwater Pollution
Easy Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Our Water
Pollution 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, and
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.
Easy Things You Can Do To Protect Our Water
•
•
•
Limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides
Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer.
Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is
predicted.
Look into alternatives for pesticides.
• 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.
•
•
•
•
•
•
If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow
the instructions on the label on how to
correctly apply it.
Clean up after your pet
Many municipalities and public agencies
enact and enforce local pet and livestock
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.
Use newspaper, bags, or pooper-scoopers to
pick up wastes.
Dispose of the wrapped pet waste in the
trash or unwrapped in a toilet.
Never discard pet waste in a storm drain.
Properly use and dispose of hazardous products
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make sure you properly store or discard any
unused portions.
Hazardous products include some household or
commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden
care products, motor oil, antifreeze and paints.
Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm
drain because storm drains are usually connected
to local water bodies 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.
Don't Litter
Place litter in trash receptacles
Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.
Participate in community cleanups
Dispose of yard waste properly
Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains & ditches.
Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for
compost.
Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings
into the lawn.
WHEN YOUR PET GOES ON THE LAWN,
REMEMBER IT DOESN'T JUST
GO ON THE LAWN.
Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and directly into our lakes, rivers and the ocean.
So what can you do? Properly dispose of your pet's waste by flushing it down the toilet
or by placing it in a bag and throwing it in the trash.
www.cleanwaterNJ.org
CLEAN
WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey
Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
IF YOU LITTER IN THE STREET,
YOU MIGHT AS WELL LITTER
IN THE RIVER.
Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and directly into our lakes, rivers and the ocean.
So what can you do? Recycle and dispose of your trash properly.
CLEAN WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey
www.cleanwaterNJ.org
WHEN YOU'RE FERTILIZING THE LAWN,
REMEMBER YOU'RE NOT JUST
FERTILIZING THE LAWN.
Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and directly into our lakes, rivers and the ocean.
So what can you do? Follow the directions on the fertilizer bag,
do not apply before it rains and use only when necessary.
www.cleanwaterNJ.org
CLEAN
WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey
Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
WHEN YOU'RE WASHING YOUR CAR IN
THE DRIVEWAY, REMEMBER YOU'RE NOT
JUST WASHING YOUR CAR
IN THE DRIVEWAY.
240-FOL
Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and directly into our lakes, rivers and the ocean.
So what can you do? Take your car to a car wash where
the water gets treated and recycled.
www.cleanwaterNJ.org
CLEAN
WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey
Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
WHEN YOUR CAR'S LEAKING oil on THE
STREET, REMEMBER IT'S NOT JUST
LEAKING OIL ON THE STREET.
Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and directly into our lakes, rivers and the
ocean. So what can you do? Recycle used oil at certified facilities
and maintain your vehicle to prevent leaks.
www.cleanwaterNJ.org
CLEAN
WATER
It's Up to You New Jersey
Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
NJ Department of Environmental Protection