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What is a Watershed? - Site
Description - Problems - What can you do?
What You Can Do!
“The Do's and Don'ts Around the House”
A Household
Guide to Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution
adapted from U.S. EPA,EPA Joumal, November/December 1994
adapted from U.S. EPA,EPA Joumal, November/December 1994
Household Chemicals - Landscaping/Gardening - Septic Systems - Other Areas
Household Chemicals
- Many cleaners commonly used around the home are toxic; use less toxic substitutes wherever possible (e.g., use water-based products and low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents whenever possible).
- Buy chemicals only in the amount you expect to use, and apply only as directed. More is not better.
- Take unwanted chemicals to hazardous waste collection centers; do not pour them down the drain or on the ground. Pouring chemicals down the drain may disrupt septic systems or contaminate treatment plant sludge; since soil cannot purify most chemicals, the chemicals may eventually contaminate runoff.
- Do not indiscriminately spray pesticides, either indoors, or outdoors, where a pest problem has not been identified. Dispose of excess pesticides at hazardous waste collection centers.
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Landscaping and Gardening
- When landscaping your yard, select plants that have low requirements for fertilizers, pesticides, and water. Cultivate plants that discourage pests. Minimize grassed areas which require high maintenance.
- Preserve existing trees, and plant trees and shrubs, to promote infiltration of water into the soil and reduce erosion.
- Use landscaping techniques such as grass swales (low areas in a lawn) or porous walkways to increase infiltration and decrease runoff. Spread mulch on bare ground to help prevent runoff and erosion.
- Leave lawn clippings on your lawn to recycle nutrients in the clippings and send less waste to landfills.
- Compost your yard trimmings. Compost releases nutrients to your lawn or garden and retains moisture in the soil, thus decreasing the amount of fertilizer you need to apply and helping you conserve water.
- Test soil before applying fertilizers. Excess fertilizer can leach into groundwater or contaminate surface waters. Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers before or during rains because of the likelihood of runoff.
- Keep storm gutters and drains clean of leaves and yard trimmings. Decomposing vegetative matter leaches nutrients and can clog storm systems and result in flooding.
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Septic Systems
- Inspect your septic system annually and pump regularly. Improperly maintained septic systems can contaminate surface and ground water with nutrients and pathogens.
- Do not use septic system additives. There is no scientific evidence that biological and chemical additives help, and these additives may be detrimental to septic systems or contaminate groundwater.
- Do not divert storm drains or basement pumps into septic systems.
- Avoid or reduce the use of your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals contribute unnecessary solids to your septic system and can also increase the frequency with which your tank needs to be pumped.
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Other Areas Where You Can Make a Difference
- Conserve water! This helps reduce the amount of pollution that flows through our storm drain and sewer systems. You can conserve water by taking shorter showers, washing your car with a sponge and bucket on the lawn, and by using a low-flow toilet.
- Pick up pet wastes. Pet wastes contain nutrients and pathogens that can contaminate surface water. Pick up after your pet so that pet wastes from sidewalks, streets or paved surfaces won't be washed into storm drains and out to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
- Drive only when necessary. Driving less reduces the amount of pollution your automobile generates.
- Recycle used oil and antifreeze by taking them to service stations and other recycling centers. Never put used oil or other chemicals down storm drains or in drainage ditches. When motor oil and other fluids leak from our cars and wash down the storm drains and into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, they can harm ocean life, stick to swimmers, and wash up on shore.
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Arana Gulch Watershed Alliance
345-D LakeAve., Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
Phone: 831-475-2379 E-mail: rjhaver@pacbell.net
Last Modified August 15, 2004