Follow Simple Steps for Cleaner Creeks and Streams

Lake and stream water often is inadvertently polluted through the by-products of everyday living, creating threats to water quality and wildlife habitat. Trash, run-off from over-fertilized lawns, oily residue from roads, plus motor oil and antifreeze dumped into storm drains are common causes of urban water pollution. Most people are not aware that water entering a storm drain goes directly into area creeks, streams or other waterways and is not treated or "cleaned" beforehand. Therefore pollutants go directly into the natural environment uncontrolled.

Where pavement covers most of the ground, contaminants are not filtered by plants and soil, as they are in areas covered by turfgrass or landscape plantings, but are instead allowed to accumulate and flow directly into streams. In rural areas, pollutants can run off of home landscapes and directly into nearby waterways.

Maintaining a high level of water quality in our local creeks and streams should be a concern for every citizen. Recreation through fishing, camping, swimming and canoeing as well as areas of high quality habitat for birds, ducks and fish all hinge on water quality. Fortunately non-pointsource pollution can be controlled in a variety of simple ways.

• Pick up and dispose of pet waste properly.
• Test the soil in turf areas before fertilizing to avoid harmful chemical run-off caused by over-fertilizing. Sweep up and reapply fertilizer that gets spilled on sidewalks and driveways.
• Use commercial car washes instead of washing cars in the driveway to avoid soap pollution.
• Maintain automobiles, fixing leaks or drips of oil promptly. If oil or other substances spill on the driveway, clean them up with absorbent materials rather than by hosing off the driveway so the substance doesn't get washed into the water supply.
• Aim gutter down spouts onto vegetated areas instead of paved areas so the plants can absorb the water and it doesn't carry pollutants from the roof or driveway into the water supply.
• Spread mulch on bare soil to help prevent erosion and run-off.
• Dispose of household chemicals, paints and solvents properly.