Clean water starts at home! Residential property can be the source of such stormwater pollutants as nutrients (phosphorus), sediment (eroding soil) and bacteria (pet waste). It can also contribute to flooding by directing roof downspouts onto paved areas that lead to the street.

Streets connect to storm sewers that in turn connect to lakes, rivers and wetlands. What goes in the street, goes to the water!

Learn more about what you can do at home to protect clean water by reading the fact sheets offered below.

Fall Tip Sheet (PDF)

Spring Tip Sheet (PDF)

Summer Tip Sheet (PDF)

Responsible Fertilizing (PDF)

Watershed/Lawn Care Quality (PDF)

Car Care for Cleaner Water (PDF)

Simple things you can do to reduce flooding and keep the runoff from your property running clean are:

Reduce nutrient runoff

There are the things that every homeowner can do to protect clean water — like sweeping grass clipping away from the street.

Did you know that tree leaves and grass clippings are sources of phosphorus, the plant nutrient that turns our lakes green with algae? Excessive algae growth looks bad, smells bad, damages lake habitats and, in severe cases, kills fish. Phosphorus runoff can be reduced by:

  • Rake or sweep leaves and grass clippings from streets
  • Compost or mulch leaves and grass clippings
  • Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer — it is now the law!
  • Keep your street free of other pollutants, such as eroded soil and animal waste

Control soil erosion

Sediment is eroded soil that is washed into lakes and rivers. Besides filling in lake and river bottoms with muck, destroying wildlife habitat and ruining recreation, sediment also carries phosphorus, the nutrient that turns lakes green with algae. Control soil erosion and sediment by:

  • Re-seed or mulch bare spots in your yard
  • Avoid placing garden beds next to driveways or street curbs
  • Landscape hillsides so that soil keeps in place
  • Wash your car at a car wash or on your lawn; not in your drive or street

Pick up after pets

Pet wastes contribute to the bacteria level found in stormwater runoff. High bacteria levels have resulted in beach closings in the Twin Cities metro area. Pick up after your pet, and if necessary, other peoples pets too!

Capture runoff

Hard surfaces such as rooftops and driveways increase the amount of runoff that comes from a property, contributing to flooding and stormwater pollution. Homeowners can capture runoff before it leaves their property in several ways:

  • Redirect roof downspouts away from paved surfaces and onto vegetated areas
  • Install a rain barrel to capture downspout water for watering about the yard
  • Create a rain garden — small landscaped depressions designed to soak up runoff water

Report pollution

Sources of uncontrolled stormwater pollution should be reported to authorities so corrective action can be taken. Stormwater pollution you may observe include uncontrolled erosion from construction sites, or dumping of waste down storm drains. Pollution problems can be reported to: