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Seven Simple Steps to Clean
Water
Fertilize Sparingly and
Caringly
Remember, you’re not just fertilizing your lawn
What’s the issue?
Storm drains found in our streets and our yards empty into our lakes and
streams. So, when we fertilize our lawn we could also be fertilizing our
lakes and streams. While fertilizer is good for our lawn, unfortunately it’s
bad for our water. Fertilizer in our lakes and streams causes algae to grow.
This can form large algae blooms and uses up oxygen that fish need to
survive. With a majority of the 1.5 million homes in Southeast Michigan
fertilizing their lawn, all of us need to be aware of the affects of our
lawn care practices.
What can you do?
Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep our water clean. Give
them a try. A few simple changes can make a big difference! Plus, you’ll
save time and money in the process.
- Go slow. Select an organic or slow-release fertilizer. Check the
label. A slow release fertilizer has at least half of the nitrogen in
water insoluble form. These fertilizers gradually release nitrogen to
plant roots. This provides a steady supply of plant nutrients over an
extended period of time. Because you need less fertilizer, you will save
time and money.
- Buy low. Select a fertilizer with low or no phosphorus. Most lawns
already contain enough phosphorus. Excess phosphorus is the primary
culprit of algae blooms in our lakes!
- Mow high. Make your lawn cheaper and easier to maintain by mowing
high – three inches is the rule! Tall grass promotes root growth and
shades out weeds. Let short clips fall back on the lawn. Clippings
recycle nitrogen back into the soil, so fertilizer can be reduced by 25%
or more!
- Sweep it. Fertilizer left on sidewalks and driveways will easily
wash into storm drains. So, save money and our lakes and streams by
sweeping fertilizer back onto the lawn.
-
Don’t guess . . . soil test. A soil test will tell you what, if any,
fertilizer is needed in your yard. Contact your county Michigan State
University Extension office for more information.
- Make fertilizer-free zones. Keep fertilizer applications at least 20
feet away from the edge of lakes, streams, or storm drains.
- Hire smart. Select a lawn service that uses organic fertilizers or
offers a slow-release nitrogen, low phosphorus option.
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Practice Good Car Care
Remember, you’re not just washing your car
What’s the issue?
Did you know there are over four million vehicles in Southeast Michigan? So,
practicing good car care means you are helping protect our lakes and
streams. How does caring for your car affect our lakes and streams? Storm
drains found in our streets and roadside ditches lead to our lakes and
streams. So, if dirty water from washing our cars or motor fluids are dumped
or washed into the storm drain, it pollutes our local waterways.
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take to care for your car and help keep
our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes can make a big
difference!
- Make a date. Car-wash facilities treat their dirty water before
discharging it to our lakes and streams. So, make a date to take your
car to a car wash.
- Wash it—on the grass. If you wash your car at home, consider washing
it on the lawn. Or, if you can't use the lawn, try to direct the dirty
water towards the lawn and away from the storm drain.
- Minimize it. Reduce the amount of soap you use or wash your car with
plain water.
- Maintain it. Keep your vehicle properly tuned and use the owner's
manual to guide decisions about how often it is necessary to change
fluids such as oil and antifreeze.
- Take advantage of business expertise. Consider taking your vehicle
to the shop to have the oil and other fluids changed. These businesses
have the ability to recycle the used materials and clean up accidental
spills.
- Recycle. If you choose to change your oil and other fluids yourself,
label the waste containers. Then, take them to your community's
household hazardous waste collection day or to a business that accepts
used oil. Never dump used oil, antifreeze, or other fluids on the ground
or down the storm drain.
- Soak it up. Use kitty litter promptly to absorb small amounts of
spilled vehicle fluids. Then sweep it into a bag and throw it in the
trash.
- Do it under cover. Whenever possible, perform vehicle maintenance in
a well-ventilated, but covered location (e.g., garage). This minimizes
the potential for rainfall to wash those inevitable spills and drips
into our lakes and streams.
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Help Keep Pollution Out
of Storm Drains
Remember, it ALL drains to our lakes and rivers
What’s the issue?
Storm drains lead to our lakes and streams. So, any oil, pet waste, leaves,
or dirty water from washing your car that enters a storm drain gets into our
lakes and streams. With almost five million people living in Southeast
Michigan, we all need to be aware of what goes into our storm drains.
Remember, only rain in the drain!
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep pollutants out of storm
drains and keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes can
make a big difference!
- Sweep it. Do you have extra fertilizer, grass clippings, or dirt on
your driveway? Sweep it back onto your lawn. Hosing your driveway sends
these pollutants into storm drains that lead to our lakes and streams.
- Keep it clean. Whether in the street or in your yard, remember to
keep leaves, grass clippings, trash, and fertilizers out of storm
drains.
- Only rain in the drain. Never dump motor oil, chemicals, pet waste,
dirty or soapy water, or anything else down the storm drain. All of
these materials pollute our lakes and streams!
- Label it. Volunteer to label storm drains in your neighborhood to
inform residents that storm drains flow directly to our lakes and
streams. Encourage citizens to contact their local community for more
information on storm drain stenciling programs.
It is also important to properly dispose of recreational vehicle sanitary
waste. Find locations and requirements of recreational waste sites in
Michigan. Dispose properly and help protect the environment! For more
information go to
www.rvdumps.com/mi.htm.
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Carefully Store and
Dispose of Household Cleaners, Chemicals, and Oils
What’s the issue?
Antifreeze, household cleaners, gasoline, pesticides, oil paints, solvents,
and motor oil are just some of the common household products that can enter
our storm drains. Help keep these out of our lakes and streams. Instead of
putting these items in the trash, down the storm drain, or on the ground,
take them to a local hazardous waste center or collection day.
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take to carefully dispose of household
wastes and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes
can make a big difference!
- Identify it. Be aware of household products that can harm children,
pets, and the environment. The words "danger," "caution," "warning," or
"toxic" indicate that you need to be careful in how you use and dispose
of the product.
- Less is better. Reduce waste and save money by purchasing only the
materials you need. When possible, choose less toxic alternatives. For
example, try cleaning your windows with vinegar and water.
- Store properly. Keep unused products in their original containers
with labels intact. Select cool, dry storage areas that are away from
children, pets, and wildlife.
- Disposal is key. Never dump motor oil, chemicals, and other toxic
materials down storm drains, sinks, or on the ground. Contact your local
community for disposal locations, guidelines, and dates.
- Don't forget the RV. Dispose of recreational vehicle sanitary waste
at a nearby drop-off location. Never put it down a storm drain or
roadside ditch! For more information on locations and requirements go to
www.rvdumps.com/mi.htm.
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Clean Up After Your Pet
What’s the issue?
Most of us pick up after our pets to be a good neighbor and to keep our yard
clean. But there's another important reason. Pet waste contains bacteria
that is harmful to us and our water. Leaving it on the sidewalk or lawn
means harmful bacteria will be transported into the storm drains and then
into our lakes and streams.
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take to carefully dispose of pet waste
and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes can
make a big difference!
- Dispose of it promptly and properly. Whether in your yard or on a
walk, promptly dispose of your pet's waste in the trash or down the
toilet where it will be properly treated. When pet waste is left behind,
it washes into storm drains and ditches. From there it heads straight to
your local lakes and streams taking harmful bacteria with it.
- Watch instead of feeding. Feeding ducks and geese may seem harmless
but, in fact, can be a nuisance to people and harmful to our water.
Feeding waterfowl causes them to become dependent on humans. This, in
turn, creates unnaturally high populations and problems in our parks and
lakes. Waterfowl waste can pollute our water with harmful bacteria.
- Spread the word. Tell others how they can help protect our lakes and
streams. Also, work cooperatively with your local government to install
signs, bag dispensers, and trash cans in convenient public places to
remind visitors to clean up after their pets.
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Choose Earth
Friendly Landscaping
What’s the issue?
When landscaping your yard you can protect your kids, pets, and the
environment from harm. By choosing plants that are native to Michigan and by
practicing good lawn-care practices, you can help prevent pollution of our
lakes and streams.
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take to landscape and maintain a healthy
yard and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes
can make a big difference!
- Mow high. Make your lawn cheaper and easier to maintain by mowing
high (three inches is recommended). Taller grass requires less water,
promotes root growth, and shades out weeds.
- Use mulch. Place a thick layer of mulch (e.g., four inches) around
trees and plants. This helps retain water, reduce weeds, and minimize
the need for pesticides.
- Go native. Select plants native to Michigan. Native plants are
better equipped to tolerate Michigan's climate, require less
fertilizing, and are more disease resistant.
- Variety is the spice of life. Using a wide variety of plants helps
control pests and minimizes the need for pesticides.
- Water wisely. Generally, your lawn needs about an inch of water a
week. Over-watering lawns results in shallow-rooted plants that are less
tolerant of heat and drought, and more prone to disease. Avoid
over-watering by using a rain gauge and watering only when necessary,
instead of on a fixed schedule.
- Use less for pests. Pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to our
kids, pets, and the environment. So, use pesticides and herbicides
sparingly. Limit applications to problem areas instead of applying to
the entire area (e.g., weed and feed).
- Rake it or leave it. Follow the guidelines in your community for
leaf pick-up. Never rake leaves into or near storm drains, ditches, or
streams. Decaying leaves use up the water's oxygen, harming fish and the
aquatic insects that fish depend on to survive. Better yet, mow leaves
into your lawn. Leaves and grass clippings are good fertilizers for your
lawn.
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Save Water
What’s the issue?
Did you know that individually we use about 77 gallons of water each day?
When we overwater our lawns, that process can easily carry pollution to the
storm drains and then to our lakes and streams. By using less water on our
lawns we can help prevent some of this pollution. And remember, saving water
also saves money!
What are some helpful tips?
Here are some simple steps you can take use less water to maintain a healthy
lawn and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes
can make a big difference!
- Water wisely. Generally, your lawn needs about an inch of water a
week. Overwatering lawns results in shallow-rooted plants that are less
tolerant of heat and drought, and more prone to disease. Avoid
overwatering by using a rain gauge and watering only when necessary,
instead of on a fixed schedule.
- Improve your aim. Adjust your sprinklers to water only your lawn and
plants — not your driveway, sidewalk, or street.
- Use mulch. Place a thick layer of mulch (e.g., four inches) around
trees and plants. This helps retain water, reduce weeds, and minimize
the need for pesticides.
- Sweep it. Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom, instead of a
hose. You'll save water and keep unwanted pollutants out of the storm
drain.
- Put rainwater to work. Use rainwater to water your plants. Direct
downspouts toward your plants and green areas or collect water with rain
barrels for use later.
- Mow high. Make your lawn cheaper and easier to maintain by mowing
high (three inches is recommended). Longer grass has deeper roots and
requires less water.
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Independence Township Signature
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