Here is a list of steps you can take to protect our lakes and the environment:
- Conserve Water. Excessive water stresses sewage treatment plants, particularly during heavy rains, which may lead to sewer overflows.
- Direct all domestic wastewater to a sanitary sewer or approved septic system and properly maintain the septic system.
- Limit your use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on lawns and gardens and follow label directions.
- Keep pet waste, debris, and trash (including leaves and grass clippings) out of gutters, sidewalks, streets, storm sewers and lakes.
- Alert the Department of Public Health if you see conditions that are degrading our environment (spills, unusual conditions, odors, color or erosion from construction sites).
- Wash your car in a location where the wastewater will soak into the ground and not run off into the gutter and storm sewer.
- Divert your roof drains to a grass or gravel area that will collect the sediment. Do not direct the downspouts directly to the street, driveway, or paved area that drain to the storm sewer.
- Repair vehicles in a location where leaks and spills cannot flow to a storm drain.
- Take your household chemicals and other household hazardous waste to the Clean Sweep and Product Exchange, and used automobile oil to one of the drop-off sites to be recycled. Never drain oil or automobile fluids onto the streets or to the ground surface.
