It's Water Week 2022!
Here's what you can do...
Posted on: May 11, 2022 - 8:28pm
Celebrate DEC’s Water Week
It’s 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act!
Protect and conserve our water resources.
Simple things everyone can do to Keep Water Clean :
~ Return used motor oil for recycling
Never pour oil onto the street or down a storm drain. It'll wash, untreated, into the nearest
Never pour oil onto the street or down a storm drain. It'll wash, untreated, into the nearest
waterbody. Most New York service stations accept used oil. Some municipalities also collect used oil as part of a community household hazardous waste collection.
~ Use a commercial car wash
Or wash your car on the lawn to keep dirty, soapy water from flowing into storm drains and eventually into your local streams and lakes.
Or wash your car on the lawn to keep dirty, soapy water from flowing into storm drains and eventually into your local streams and lakes.
Sweep sidewalks and driveways
Hosing yard debris off hard surfaces just washes it into storm drains. Compost yard waste instead.
Hosing yard debris off hard surfaces just washes it into storm drains. Compost yard waste instead.
~ Fight mud
Cover areas of bare soil with mulch, or plant grass or ground covers to keep rain from washing soil into storm drains, ditches, streams and lakes. Fine soil particles, or sediment, can suffocate fish and destroy their habitat.
Cover areas of bare soil with mulch, or plant grass or ground covers to keep rain from washing soil into storm drains, ditches, streams and lakes. Fine soil particles, or sediment, can suffocate fish and destroy their habitat.
~ Avoid using lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus
Test your lawn first to see if it needs phosphorus. Phosphorus that is not needed by turf grass is often carried by rain into nearby waterbodies where it can cause serious environmental problems. The Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law severely restricts or prohibits the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers.
Test your lawn first to see if it needs phosphorus. Phosphorus that is not needed by turf grass is often carried by rain into nearby waterbodies where it can cause serious environmental problems. The Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law severely restricts or prohibits the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers.
~ Leave an unmowed buffer next to streams and lakes
A buffer strip filters the pollutants carried by storm runoff, stops erosion of banks and helps prevent flooding downstream. A buffer of native plants also benefits wildlife and beautifies your backyard.
A buffer strip filters the pollutants carried by storm runoff, stops erosion of banks and helps prevent flooding downstream. A buffer of native plants also benefits wildlife and beautifies your backyard.
~ Flush responsibly
Rather than flushing, dispose of cleansers, beauty products, medicine, auto fluids, paint, and lawn care products at a local household hazardous waste facility. Take pharmaceuticals to special collection locations.
Rather than flushing, dispose of cleansers, beauty products, medicine, auto fluids, paint, and lawn care products at a local household hazardous waste facility. Take pharmaceuticals to special collection locations.
~ Use the trash, not the drain
Dispose of excess fats and grease, diapers and personal hygiene products in the garbage can. These materials can clog pipes and cause raw sewage to overflow.
Dispose of excess fats and grease, diapers and personal hygiene products in the garbage can. These materials can clog pipes and cause raw sewage to overflow.
~ Block the buzz
Prevent mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating standing water in old tires and clogged gutters, or use dunks containing the larvacide Bti (a bacteria that targets mosquitoes). Empty and refill kiddie pools and pet water dishes at least once a week. When sitting outside, place multiple citronella candles close by. Protect infants and toddlers with light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and by draping netting over strollers. In spring, mount bat and purple martin houses to encourage these mosquito-eating machines. (Note: A chemical repellant such as DEET may be necessary where mosquito-borne diseases are likely.)