Steps to Cleaner Water
- Pick up after your pet and throw the waste in the garbage. Pick up after your pet
- Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. Car Washing
- Check for and fix leaks oil in mechanical equipment (ex. automobiles and lawn equipment).
- NEVER dump anything down storm drains. Take all unwanted chemicals, paint, oil, etc, to designated collection sites. Hazardous waste disposal info
- Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads. Lawn Care Practices
- Maintain your septic system every 3-4 years. Septic System Care
- Compost your yard waste and food waste to into good gardening soil.
- Use environmentally friendly and biodegradable household cleaners instead of chemically based cleaners.
Water saving tips
- Set the water level on your washing machine to match the load amount.
- Run the dishwasher when it is full and not partially full.
- Purchase water efficient appliances. Learn more.
- Plant rain gardens around your home to catch storm water. Click here to learn more at Rain Gardens of West Michigan.
Other Tips:
What can we do to improve the infiltration of groundwater?
- Use and encourage others to use Low Impact Development
- Direct your downspouts onto grass or other soft ground, away from pavement
- Vegetate bare spots in your yard or plant a vetetable garden. Learn more
- Plant native, drought tolerant, erosion-controlling ground covers instead of lawns to reduce pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer runoff. For more information on using native plants visit http://www.for-wild.org/
Join the Southwest Michigan Water Quality Partnership by clicking here!
Click here for a fact sheet on other things you can do at home to protect water quality
