Preventing Surface Water Runoff

Pollution from surface water runoff is hard to detect and control because it doesn't come from a single source like a factory or sewage treatment plant. Instead, many everyday activities and traditional land use practices destroy aquatic habitat by causing soil erosion, stream overheating and by allowing pollutants to wash into our waters.

Polluted runoff comes from

• Household chemicals and soaps running off driveways, roofs and yards into streets and down storm drains directly to streams and rivers.
• Fertilizers and pesticides running off agricultural lands and urban areas such as yards, parks, golf courses and landscaped areas.
• Oil, anti-freeze, and other toxic materials running off roadways into storm drains or directly into streams.
• Soil erosion which comes from construction sites, logging activities and agricultural lands.
• Failing septic tanks that cause both surface and groundwater pollution.
• Livestock and pets, such as dogs, which pollute the water with bacteria, cause erosion, and destroy aquatic habitat.

What you can do

• Don't pour used oil or other pollutants down the storm drain.
• Use non-toxic alternatives to fertilizers and pesticides.
• Keep use of pesticides away from rivers and streams and carefully follow the instructions on the label. Try planting pest and disease resistant plants.
• When camping, use biodegradable soap and rinse dishes away from streams and lakes.
• Tether riding stock away from surface water bodies like lakes and streams.
• Sweep driveways and patios clean instead of hosing them down.
• Fence livestock away from streams and wetlands. Make sure wastes can be dropped away from water bodies.
• Avoid planting lawn all the way to a stream. Leave trees or vegetation along the banks as a buffer.