Purchase household and garden products that are the least toxic to the environment.
When using chemicals, detergents and pesticides, use only the amount recommended by the manufacturer and use them according to the directions. Avoid overruns onto hard surfaces like sidewalks and driveways.
Take proper precautions when cleaning your carpet and disposing of the waste water
On Your Lawn and In Your Garden
Use native plants in a rain garden, shoreline planting, or your general landscaping.
Water your lawn only when necessary, check your hoses for leaks, and make other choices to reduce outdoor water use.
Set lawn mower blades at a higher level and leave clippings on the lawn. The practice of grass-cycling can improve water quality and the health of your lawn.
Use a phosphorus-free fertilizer or no fertilizer at all on your lawn. Unnecessary fertilizer can quickly run off into storm drains and cause algae blooms among other harmful effects. Learn more about lawn fertilizer and use it responsibly.
Responsibly maintain your swimming pool and use best practices when draining it.
Purchase household and garden products that are least toxic to the environment.
Sweep sidewalks and patios rather than hose debris into street gutters or drains.
Avoid using pesticides or herbicides on your yard and garden. If you do use them, use them properly. The EPA's website contains information about specific types. You may also want to download a copy of the EPA's Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (a very large PDF file). For local assistance in learning more about integrated pest management and the proper use of pesticides, contact City Utilities.
Garden organically or use alternatives to chemicals when possible.
Have your car tuned-up regularly to make sure it is operating as cleanly as possible with no leaks of oil or other fluids. Fix car leaks right away. Use dry methods to clean up any fluids that have leaked.
Find a location near you to recycle motor oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids.