• 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. Contact your municipal or county government for collection days and sites.

• 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.

• Encourage local government officials to develop construction erosion/sediment control ordinances in your community. 

• Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.

• Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers.

• Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other applicable best management practices.

• Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank rinsate in an approved manner.

• Plant a tree.  Trees and shrubs help remove pollutants from stormwater and prevent soil erosion.  

Taken from EPA's Polluted brochure EPA-841-F-94-005, 1994.

Back to What Can I Do?

This site made possible by a grant from the NJ DEP