Clean River Tips

At Home

• Never dump used motor oil, paint or household chemicals on the ground or in a storm drain.
• Don't pour household chemicals down the sink or flush them down the toilet.
• Use non-toxic alternatives to home cleaning chemicals.
• Don't buy more of a household cleaner or other chemical than you need for the job.
• Read and follow directions on the use of household chemicals and disposal of containers.
• Sweep driveways and patios clean instead of hosing them down.
• Check for leaky faucets and turn off the water when brushing teeth to conserve water.
• Pre-cycle. Buy products with less packaging.
• Pick up pet waste and put it in the garbage can.

In Your Yard

• Preserve established trees in your yard and neighborhood.
• Don't overuse fertilizers and pesticides.
• Plant trees, shrubs and ground covers that filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff.
• Don't cut your grass too short. Adjust your lawnmower to the proper height to reduce runoff from lawns.
• Plant native vegetation and choose plants that require little or no fertilizer.
• When you water your plants and lawn, make sure water doesn't wash over streets and sidewalks.
• Recycle yard debris, or use it to make compost, instead of raking it into streets where it can wash into storm sewers.
• Use compost or mulch to hold moisture in the soil and control weeds.

Your Car

• Drive your car less to reduce automotive fluid leaks on roadways.
• Recycle used motor oil at the curbside.
• Use a car wash that recycles wash water.

Your Boat

• Don't dump trash or sewage from your boat.
• Watch for fuel spills when you fill your tank.
• Reduce your wake near the shoreline to minimize erosion.
• Use soap without phosphate to wash your boat.
• Use steel sinkers or washers instead of lead sinkers when you go fishing.
• Use oil absorbent materials to catch drips from the fuel intake and the vent overflow.
• Keep your engine well tuned and make sure seals, gaskets and hoses don’t leak.