Minimize harm from stormwater runoff

You may not have waterfront property, but the rain that runs off your roof, lawn and driveway can eventually end up in the nearest water body by flowing over land and into storm drains.

A common misconception is that storm drains lead to a treatment plant. Rather, storm drains are direct conduits to your stormwater pond or natural waterway. It is important to never dump or place anything down the storm drain inlet except for rainwater.

Here are some tips to minimize the harm of stormwater runoff leaving your home or workplace:

• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Unwise or excessive use of chemicals can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment. Use nontoxic alternatives whenever possible, and pull weeds by hand.
• Avoid dumping waste oil, chemicals or yard trash into ponds, inlets or storm drains. Contact your local government’s waste management department for a list of disposal facilities.
• Repair automobile leaks immediately to reduce runoff from oil and heavy metals, such as lead, copper and cadmium, impacting waterways.
• Dispose of household hazardous wastes, such as antifreeze, used motor oil and batteries, at designated collection or recycling facilities. Up to five gallons of used motor oil can be taken to most auto parts stores.
• Clean up after your pet to prevent animal waste from washing into waterways.
• Use a commercial car wash, or wash your car on the lawn or other unpaved surface.
• Sweep up yard debris rather than hosing down areas. If trash, grass clippings, branches or litter clog the drains, they can block flow and create localized flooding problems.
• Compost or recycle yard waste and lawn clippings when possible. Depositing lawn clippings in water bodies and storm drains can increase oxygen demand in the water, which can significantly harm fish populations and damage seagrass beds — vital habitat for animals and aquatic organisms.
• Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program.
• Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
• Use plants to create a buffer zone of five feet or more between your yard and any water bodies. Shoreline vegetation can reduce erosion and trap pollutants in stormwater runoff before the runoff reaches water bodies.