According to the EPA, urban stormwater is the leading source of water pollution in the United States. But there’s a lot individuals can do to help!
To learn more about stormwater issues and what property owners and members of the community can do, watch this series of educational videos.
To protect local waterways, you can take these simple steps:
- Don’t litter. Any trash left on streets before a rainstorm will be washed into local creeks. You can help by picking up trash when you see it, even if it’s not yours.
- Practice proper lawn care. Grass clippings and lawn chemicals can be very destructive if they make their way into creeks. You can help by retaining yard waste on site and using a mulching mower if you have one. Never use more fertilizer or pesticide than recommended by the manufacturer. Better yet, consider replacing turf with native, fire-safe vegetation.
- Wash cars safely & recycle used oil. Never wash your car on pavement, even with biodegradable soap. Even small amounts of soap can harm creeks. Instead, wash your car on grass or take it to a car wash. Fix any oil leaks promptly and take used oil to an auto shop to be recycled.
- Clean up pet waste. Pet waste can cause harmful algae blooms that kill fish and other aquatic organisms. Always pick up after your pet, especially if you walk it in public!
- Adopt a drain. The City of Mt Shasta is currently working to formalize and expand our “Adopt a drain” program so residents can take on a more active role in maintaining the drains in their neighborhood by clearing trash, leaves, and other debris from inlet grates.
