You play an important role in protecting our local waterways!
There are a lot of easy steps that you can take to prevent pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, and improve the water quality of our local streams and creeks. Take a look below for some suggestions for what you can do on your property:
Use native plants in your landscaping!
The typical suburban lawn is about as impervious as a parking lot! Native meadow grasses and perennials infiltrate stormwater better than turf grass and provide critical habitat for grassland birds.
Native species are specially adapted to survive in PA and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Limit your use of non-native species and never plant non-native invasive species.
Avoid bare soil so it does not erode and run off into streams.
Reduce Pesticide, Herbicide and household chemical use.
Limit your fertilizer and pesticide use, and never apply before rain.
Use the recommended application rate and do not over apply.
Only apply fertilizers in the fall.
Things like cleaning products, medicines, oil-based paint, and electronics need to be disposed of properly. Never dump any of these items down the drain!
Look for hazardous waste and electronics collection days near you.
Plant trees and maintain streamside buffers.
Streamside trees and native vegetation filters stormwater run-off and helps hold streambank soils in place. They can also filter out excess fertilizers and pesticides from adjacent farm fields.
Plant native trees, shrubs and perennials in streamside areas.
Raise your mower height to at least 3 inches and never mow within 50 feet of a stream (riparian buffer zone).
Learn more about riparian buffers here.
Bag pet waste and keep livestock out of streams.
Animal wastes carry many harmful bacteria and possible diseases that can be harmful to wildlife and human health alike.
Be sure to always pick-up after your pets and use fencing or vegetation keep livestock out of waterways.
Recycle your yard waste.
Mulch leaves and grass clippings into your yard to return vital nutrients to the soil and reduce waste.
Use leaves as mulch for your garden. Rake into garden areas and make sure to leave over winter to provide vital shelter for insects, birds, and other wildlife.
If you plan to dispose of your yard waste, make sure to do so properly. Check with your municipality to see how they collect yard waste.
Never blow grass clippings into the street or dispose of yard waste near a waterbody.
Make sure your septic system is working properly.
Leaky septic systems can lead to harmful bacteria in our creeks. High bacteria counts in waterways can spread disease and impede recreational activities like swimming and fishing.
If you have a septic system make sure to get it inspected every few years to ensure it is functioning properly.
Convert a section of your yard to a rain garden.
A rain garden is a great way to treat a wet area in your yard. Not only does it reduce stormwater runoff on your property, it can provide habitat for wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds.
Make sure to select native plants and species that can handle wet conditions.
Learn more about rain gardens here.
Disconnect your downspout from the street drain.
Even clean water, in high volumes, can pollute streams by eroding stream banks and causing sedimentation. Prevent high volumes of stormwater from entering waterways by directing your downspouts into garden or grassy area.
Install a rain barrel to collect and store rain water from your roof.
Keep storm drains clean.
Only rain should go down storm drains! Never dump anything, even organic materials down storm drains.
Keep storm drain clear of debris to ensure stormwater drains properly. Remove any trash from storm drains.
Wash your car at a car wash.
Washing your car in your driveway causes soap, heavy metals and oils to run off into our waterways. Car washes treat and recycle their wash water so it can’t enter nearby waterways.
Check your vehicle for leaks and have any fixed.