What YOU can do to prevent NPS pollution

Urban | Mining | Forestry | Agriculture

Wash your car on the grass or a gravel driveway to prevent runoff.

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. If your community does not already have a program for collecting household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to establish one.
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 and sediment control ordinances in your community.
Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum every three to five years, so that it operates properly.
Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.

Become involved in local mining issues by voicing your concerns about acid mine drainage and reclamation projects in your area.

Use proper logging and erosion control practices on your forest lands by ensuring proper construction, maintenance and closure of logging roads and skid trails.
Report questionable logging practices to state and federal forestry and state water quality agencies.

Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.
Protect drinking water by minimizing fertilizer use and by learning how to prevent pest problems. When pesticides are used, minimize detrimental impacts by using least toxic pesticides and by following all label directions.
Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other applicable best management practices.
Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland.
Dispose of pesticides, containers and tank rinsate in an approved manner.