Sustainable Yard Care Practices

 WHEN IT RAINS... YOUR LAWN DRAINS

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When you fertilize your lawn, you may also be fertilizing local rivers and streams. Keep in mind that the choices you make when managing your lawn directly affect water quality. In fact, YOU may be one of the most significant sources of local water pollution.

When it rains, storm water runs off your roof, yard, driveway and street, carrying with it everything in its path. This runoff includes oil, gas, fertilizers, pesticides, household chemicals and animal feces. See diagram below:

 

 

 

 

Unlike sewers that direct water to a treatment plant, storm drains lead directly to surrounding streams and lakes without any type of treatment. This nonpoint source pollution accounts for more than half of the contamination in our waterways.