Overview (1) Mindful Mowing (2) Limit Fertilizer, Pesticides, & Watering (3) Go Native (4) Capture & Reuse Rainwater (5) Plant Native Trees (6) Let the Rain Soak In (7) Create a Rain Garden (8) Enhance Our Lakes and Streams (9) Pick Up Pet Waste & Litter (10) Participate in the eVIP Program

Personal Pollution

Reduce Personal Pollution. Here are 10 ways you can improve water quality in your community waterways so you can have more birds, more fish – and more fun!

#1 Mindful Mowing

  • Use a mulching mower and set the blade to maximum height.
  • Keep grass clippings and other yard waste out of the streets and drainage inlets.
  • Recycle grass clippings and yard trimmings to increase soil fertility and reduce waste leaving the site.

#2 Limit Fertilizer, Pesticides & Watering

  • From June 1st to September 30th, choose fertilizers with 0% Nitrogen and 0% Phosphorus
  • From October 1st to May 31st, if fertilizer is used, it must be at least 65% slow-release nitrogen
  • No fertilizer can be applied within 25 feet from waterways.
  • No more than 3 pounds of total nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of landscape per year.
  • Maintain a 10-foot low maintenance zone adjacent to water bodies.

#3 Go Native

  • Native plants suit our soils and rainfall patterns.
  • Select plants based on site conditions.
  • Planting landscape beds and using groundcover instead of sod will require less mowing, watering and fertilizer.

#4 Capture and Reuse Rainwater

  • Install rain barrels or cisterns to catch the rain.
  • Use roof rain gutters only when needed.
  • Direct downspouts to plant beds or grassy areas.
  • Collected water helps recharge groundwater when used on lawns and gardens.

#5 Plant Native Trees

  • Trees reduce the need for grass, fertilizer and mowing.
  • Trees intercept rainwater and capture pollutants.
  • Tree roots help rainwater infiltrate into the ground, reduce surface water runoff and erosion.

#6 Let the Rain Soak In Using Porous Materials

  • Use pavers instead of concrete to let the rain soak in.
  • Use shell or stone for walkways and parking.
  • Consider using pervious concrete or flexible pavement for sidewalks, driveways and parking areas.

#7 Create a Rain Garden

  • Rain gardens increase rainwater and groundwater infiltration.
  • Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff into our waterways.
  • Rain gardens create a natural habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
  • Rain gardens clean stormwater before it leaves your property.

#8 Enhance Our Lakes and Streams

  • Naturalize the shoreline with native plants.
  • Participate in water body renovation projects to help minimize erosion.
  • Floating plant islands improve water quality and habitat.
  • Create a “maintenance free” zone between lawn and ditches, ponds,and creeks to reduce fertilizer contamination and erosion.

#9 Pick Up Pet Waste and Litter

  • Improve water quality.
  • Removing pet waste reduces bacteria and harmful algal blooms in our waterways.
  • Litter pollutes our waterways and can restrict flow in our stormwater pipes causing flooding.

#10 Volunteer for the eVIP Program

  • Improve your community's environment.
  • Learn how to keep our water bodies healthy.
  • Get involved! What we do in our yards affects everyone.