What Can You Do To Protect Water Quality?

Click here to learn about septic systems

New*

Click play below to hear radio ads on ways to help improving water quality! These ads were played on 97.5 FM!

Septic Systems

Rain Gardens

Lawn Care

Steps to Cleaner Water

1. Maintain your septic system every 3-4 years.  Septic System Care

2. Plant rain gardens around your home to catch storm water.  Click here to learn more at Rain Gardens of West Michigan.

3. Pick up after your pet and throw the waste in the garbage. Pick up after your pet

4. Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. Car Washing
5. Check for and fix oil leaks in mechanical equipment (ex. automobiles and lawn equipment).
6. NEVER dump anything down storm drains.  Take all unwanted chemicals, paint, oil, etc, to designated collection sites. Hazardous waste disposal information for Berrien County & Hazardous waste disposal information for Cass and Van Buren County
7. Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads. Lawn Care Practices
8. Compost your yard waste and food waste to into good gardening soil.
9. Use environmentally friendly and biodegradable household cleaners, instead of chemically based cleaners.

10. Install a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

Click here for a fact sheet on other things you can do at home to protect water quality

Click here to view what a rain Garden is!

Water saving tips

Other Tips:

• Getting Involved in a Watershed Project
• Become an Advocate
• Report Pollution
• Adopt a Road!
• Michigan Beachguard
• Join a Garden Club
• Kids learn about water!
• Michigan Water Stewardship Program
• Learn how to worm compost!

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 click here! 

Join the Southwest Michigan Water Quality Partnership by clicking here!