Ten Simple Steps You Can Take To Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution
Cleaning up after your pet is a simple way
you can help to prevent NPS
Photo, MT DEQ
- Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
- Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
- Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. If your community does not already have a program for collecting household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to establish one.
- Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
- Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
- Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum, every 3-5 years so that it operates properly.
- Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.
- Wash your car at a car wash where road grime and soapy water are captured and treated.
- Direct roof drains to the lawn rather than paved surfaces and bare soil.
- Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland and manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.
More Information:
- What you can do to prevent NPS pollution?
- Learn more about NPS pollution at EPA Nonpoint Source Site
- Disposal sites for some household hazardous wastes:
- Recycling Information:
