You can support stormwater
management projects in your
community that both benefit the
environment and bring value to the
community. Local schools, parks,
and private institutions can do a lot
to reduce the impact from rainfall on
rivers, lakes, and streams:

• Rain gardens and bioretention
areas absorb rain before it runs
into the street.

•	Green roofs help keep water from
running off buildings.

•	Replacing walkways with
pavement that is permeable allows
water to soak into the ground.

While you're enjoying local parks
and waterways, don't forget to do
your part! Pick up after pets—and
yourself—and never dump liquids
down storm drains. We can all do our
part to be stormwater smart!

Green roofs

ii

£

In the

Community

Bi ST4RMWATER SMART

Take Steps to Protect Our Waterways

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f you've been thinking about reducing your environmental footprint, you can take steps to decrease the amount of pollution that flows from your home into local
waterways every time it rains. Known as stormwater, once rain or snow hits the ground, it can carry dirt, chemicals, and other pollutants downstream from your home and
yard to the rivers and lakes in your community. Here are a just a few steps you can take to be stormwater smart at home:



In the

Garden

In the

Driveway

Rain garden

Fertilizer away
from drains

In the
Yard

Rain barrel

Biodegradable soap

Direct spray

Leaves.
from drain

No chemicals
in drains

On the
Sidewalk

*

Go light on
deicer

*

Rain is great for your lawn, but excess
rain can run off from your yard and
walkways into the street, where it flows
from the storm drain into local rivers,
lakes, or streams, taking any chemical
you've applied with it.

•	Apply fertilizers and pesticides
carefully on your lawn or garden and
not on pavement.

•	Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides
completely if rain is in the forecast.

•	Consider installing a rain garden,
which is a depressed area planted
with grasses or perennials that
collects stormwater.

Wash your car with biodegradable
soap to avoid chemicals floating
downstream, or visit a carwash.

Direct water from downspouts and
car washing to grassy areas, so it
can soak into the ground rather than
hit the pavement.

Don't hose down your driveway and
flush dirt down the storm drain.

When watering your lawn, direct the
spray toward your lawn and plants,
not the pavement.

Look for spots on the ground that
indicate your car leaks oil or fluid.
Don't let your leaks pollute!

•	Use permeable pavers instead of
hard stones or pavement in your
yard to help water absorb into the
ground.

•	Don't rake leaves or yard clippings
into the storm drain to avoid clogs
and debris that could cause flooding.

•	Install a rain barrel to help prevent
rain from flowing into storm drains
(and also save water for dry spells!).

•	Pick up pet waste and keep trash
and dirty water away from pavement
and storm drains, where it can
contaminate stormwater that flows
downstream.

•	During colder weather, avoid
oversaving your sidewalks and use
an appropriate amount of deicer—a
little goes a long way.

•	Sweep sidewalks and put the debris
in the trash.

DID YOU KNOW?

If you use a rain barrel to collect water for plants, you can keep your landscape
green for free. Every time it rains, you'll collect water that can be used later!
Check out www.epa.gov/watersense for more tips to save water!

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