Stormwater Pollution Prevention Tips to use as Talking Points
Recycle Household Hazardous Items
 Many chemicals commonly used around the home are toxic. Select less toxic
alternatives or nontoxic substitutes wherever possible.

Take unwanted household chemicals to a hazardous waste collection event; do
not pour them down the drain, into a stormdrain, or onto the ground.

Recycle fluorescent bulbs, batteries, used motor oil & filters, old medications,
latex paint, auto batteries, and antifreeze at convenient drop-off locations.

Buy chemicals only in the amount you expect to use, and apply them only as
directed. More is not better.
Home Maintenance & Remodeling

Avoid cleaning brushes or rinsing paint containers in the street, gutter or near a
storm drain. For latex paint, rinse brushes in the sink. Filter and reuse oil based
paint and thinners. Recycle leftover paint at a household hazardous waste
collection event, save it for touch ups or give it to someone who can use it.

Install wood decking, bricks or interlocking stones instead of impervious cement
walkways. Install gravel trenches along driveways or patios to collect water and
allow it to filter into the ground.

When working with concrete, cement, or mortar, prevent materials from blowing
or flowing to a driveway, street, or storm drain. When excavating and
landscaping, protect dirt piles from wind and rain.
Yard, Garden, and Landscaping

Use a broom rather than a hose to clean up garden clippings. Don't leave leaves
and lawn clippings in the gutter. Sweep any residue after yard waste pick-up, but
don't sweep into the storm drain.

Minimize grassed areas which require high maintenance. Spread mulch on bare
ground to help prevent erosion and runoff. Compost your yard trimmings. Compost is
a valuable soil conditioner which gradually releases nutrients to your lawn and
garden.

Divert rainspouts and garden hoses from paved surfaces onto grass to allow
filtration through the soil. Water only your lawn and garden — not the sidewalk or
driveway.

Test your soil before applying fertilizers. Over fertilization is a common problem, and
the excess can leach into ground water or contaminate creeks or the bay. Also, avoid
using fertilizers near surface waters.
Pest Control

Do not indiscriminately spray pesticides, either indoors or outdoors, where a
pest problem has not been identified.

Cultivate plants that discourage pests.

Avoid applying pesticide near curbs and driveways, and store covered,
protected from rain, wind and runoff.

Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques both indoors and out,
utilizing cultural control methods to prevent pests and using less toxic
alternative products if needed.
Trash Disposal and Litter Reduction

Throw non-hazardous litter into trashcans and keep rims tightly covered to
prevent foraging by neighborhood animals.

Put cigarette butts in ash trays not in the street or storm drain.

Reduce your consumption of disposable plastic items in exchange for reusable
items like reusable shopping bags, reusable lunchboxes, plates, cups, eating
utensils, food containers, and cloth napkins.

Compost kitchen and yard waste.
Automotive Care

Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze by absorbing them using
kitty litter or sand and then dispose of the material at a local household
hazardous waste event. Do not hose them into the street where they can
eventually reach local creeks, the ocean, and bay.

Recycle used oil, filters, and antifreeze by taking them to service stations and
other recycling centers.

Wash your car on your lawn instead of your driveway.

Regular tune-ups and inspections can help keep automotive waste and byproducts
from contaminating runoff.
Pets



Clean up after your pets. Pet waste contains nutrients and pathogens that can
contaminate surface water. Dispose of pet waste in a trash can.
Treat flea problems (“Fleas” fact sheet) on your pet by using a flea comb and
bathing your pet often to drown fleas. Use safer insecticides (see fact sheet)
Treat flea problems in your home with borate-based carpet treatments. Borates
have a low toxicity to humans and pets. Fleanix carpet treatment can control
fleas in carpeting for up to a year.