Pollution Prevention

By taking a few simple steps we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution that enters our environment. Listed below are some simple pollution prevention practices.

For Residents:

In the House

• Use less toxic/organic household cleaners
• Greases and oils cause back-ups in our sewer systems that may overflow into the storm drain. Bag these wastes and toss in the trash instead of the sink. Consider composting your organics instead of trashing.
• Paint! Try to avoid using oil based paints. Rinse brushes and tools used with water based paint in the sink…not in the yard!

In the Garage

• Do not wash oils and fluids out of your garage into your streets. Use kitty litter to absorb the spill and dispose of at a hazardous waste facility.
• Keep lids on hazardous materials tight.
• Recycle motor oil and used fluids.

In the Yard

• Watch the weather and don not fertilize your lawn before the rain comes.
• Bag your grass clipping and dispose of properly. Blowing your clippings down the drain or dumping near the drainage conveyance on your property destroys aquatic environments and is considered and illicit discharge.
• Do not clean hazardous material containers in the yard with the garden hose.

For Business Owners:

• Protect material stored outside from leaking and make sure they are on an elevated surface.
• Call the Public Works, Stormwater Division for “No Dumping – Drains to Waterway” emblems for stormwater structure inlets near your store.
• Recycle and dispose of wastes properly.

For Contractors:

• Site stability is the KEY!
• Keep sediment tracking to a minimum.
• Install and maintain site perimeter controls.
• Follow a site specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)