STORMWATER SMART

LAWN CARE

When water from rain, snow, or sleet flows over the ground, it's called
"stormwater/'Stormwater can pick up debris, litter, fertilizer, and pesticides
used for lawn care. And when that stormwater flows into street gutters,
storm drains, and downstream, it can pollute rivers, lakes, and streams.
Follow these simple pollution solutions to help keep local waterways clean
and healthy!



DON'T MOW
TOO LOW

CAREFUL WITH
CHEMICALS

Only remove 1/3 of the grass blade height
and leave clippings on lawn to allow
nutrients to return to the soil—they act as
a natural fertilizer!

Read the label when applying pesticides
and fertilizers, use them sparingly, and
avoid applying them to pavement. When
there is rain in the forecast, any chemicals
you apply can wash downstream.



ONLY RAIN IN
THE DRAIN

Don't rake, sweep, or hose debris down the
storm drains. Leaves, yard clippings, and
trash can clog storm pipes, causing floods
and polluted waterways.

v ^

CURB YOUR
WATER WASTE

Direct sprinklers toward the lawn and away
from pavement to save water and keep
chemicals and debris out of storm drains.
Check out www.epa.gov/watersense for
more tips to save water!

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