Improving Water Quality

Easy Ways to Improve Water Quality

• Clean Up After Yourself - This is probably the easiest thing you can start doing. Don't litter.
• Car Washing - Take it to a commercial car wash where water is treated before it re-enters local waterways. If that's not an option, wash your car on your lawn using a no-phosphorous soap. This keeps soapy water out of the storm drain, and can double as a drink for your lawn!
• Chemicals - When working with chemicals, be sure to clean up spills and dispose of used oil, paint or other chemicals at your local household hazardous waste collection sites (Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Drop-off Facilities). Try using natural options for any pesticide or herbicide needs. Since January 1, 2004 fertilizers containing phosphorus cannot be used on lawns in the Twin Cities metro area, which includes Hennepin County.
• Create a Rainwater Garden - A rainwater garden is a depression in the soil filled with water-loving plants. The depression is designed to collect water. Check with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for ideas and models.
• Garden - Try planting native plants; these often require less water, fertilizer and pesticides. Plant flowers that attract butterflies or hummingbirds, or plants that will provide habitat for birds or wildlife.
• Lawn Clippings and Leaves - You can always leave your clippings on your yard, but leaves and lawn clippings left on the sidewalk or driveway are easily swept away by water to the nearest lake, stream or river, decreasing overall water quality and clarity by providing nutrients for microbial and algae growth . Try using them for compost. We also have a disposal site available for Orono residents: Leaf and Grass Disposal
• Pet Waste - Always carry a bag and use it. At home you can flush the waste, or double bag it and put it in the trash.
• Re-Direct Downspouts - Make sure downspouts from your roof are not only directed away from your foundation, but onto your lawn and not your driveway or sidewalk. You can collect the water from your downspouts in rain barrels to be reused around your yard.
• Soil Testing - Have your soil tested; you may need less fertilizer than you think! Less fertilizer means less run-off.
  Sand and Salt. After the snow piles have melted, sweep up extra sand and salt. Excess sand can fill in lakes and streams, cover up habitat for aquatic life and carry pollution. Salt is a major contributor of chlorides to our waterways.