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Tips & Safety Practices
Stormwater pollution can be controlled if everyone does their part in managing stormwater runoff where they live and work. The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution is to prevent pollutants from entering the system in the first place. By making responsible decisions about what we allow to enter the storm sewer system, we can improve the water quality and the downstream aquatic habitat.
Tips for improving stormwater quality in Vigo County
- Never dump anything down a storm drain or drainage ditch. Throw litter in its place. Trash and litter can clog storm drains and become a breeding ground for pests. When washed into storm drains, trash can cause harmful effects downstream.
- Put a lid on it. Make sure trash cannot blow or fall out of trash or recycling containers, so it does not become litter and wash down storm drains.
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Pet Care
- Pick up after your pet. Imagine the amount of waste that the City’s thousands of dogs and cats produce every day. If pet owners don’t clean up after their pets, a significant portion of pet waste washes into storm drains and into the Wabash River increasing public health risks. Flushing pet waste down the toilet is the best disposal method.
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Yard Care
- Be Tree-Friendly. One of the best things residents can do to improve stormwater quality is to plant trees. Tree leaves help slow rain as it falls to the ground which increases water absorption. Leaf litter on the ground also slows stormwater runoff and keeps the soil surface looser, so more water can be absorbed rather than run off. Tree roots also hold soil, preventing sedimentation from washing away with stormwater.
- Conserve Water. Landscaping is a major consumer of residential water. Purchase or make your own rain barrel to collect rainwater from your roof, and use natural rain water to water your lawn. Water your lawn during the cool times of the day, like in the early morning and don’t let water runoff into the storm drain.
The following links provide more information on rain barrels:
- Compost Happens. Grass clippings and leaves should be kept out of streets, so they do not wash down storm drains. Rotting organic matter can pollute waterways with excess nutrients. In addition, yard waste can clog storm drains, which can lead to street flooding. Bag yard waste for collection or start a compost pile and turn vegetative waste into “black gold” for your garden. Your plants will thank you!
- Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, apply chemicals in recommended amounts. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise chemicals will be washed down the drain.
- Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetative area in your yard. Use native plants in your landscaping to reduce the need for watering during dry period. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns and other measures to increase infiltration and reduce polluted water runoff.
- Learn about GreenScaping. The EPA has developed a program called GreenScapes. It provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, GreenScape encourages companies, government agencies, other entities and homeowners to make more holistic decisions regarding waste generation and disposal and the associated impacts on land, water, air, and energy use.
The following links provide more information on greening your yard:
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Home Repair and Improvement
- Locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris before beginning an outdoor project. Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
- Properly dispose of hazardous household waste. Cleaning products, batteries, and many other harmful pollutants can accidentally run into drains or drainage ditches and from there into waterways.
- Keep your septic system maintained. Septic systems should be inspected regularly (every 3 years) and should be pumped about every 3 to 5 years.
- Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.
- Participate in local recycling programs. Rose-Hulman and Indiana State both have recycling days that are open to the public. Watch for announcements on TV and in newspaper. Click here on what is being done about recycling.
- Take care when using fertilizer on a farmstead. Even a small spill can have an adverse affect on water sources.
- Carpet Cleaning. Collect and properly dispose of the wash water and keep it from entering groundwater or any storm drainage system.
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Vehicle Care
- Soap your car, not the stream. For home car washing, park vehicles over grass to keep soapy water from flowing down driveways, into streets and down storm drains. The soil in your yard will trap and filter the soap, and the soap will not harm your grass. Soap and detergents that run unfiltered into streams can harm aquatic life. The best option for washing your car is to go to a commercial car wash. Commercial car washes use water efficiently and drain used water to the sewage system for treatment.
- Care for your vehicle properly. It takes only one quarter of oil to contaminate a million gallons of water. Check your vehicles for leaks and repair them. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand and don’t rinse the spills into a nearby storm drain. After changing your oil and other automotive fluids, take them to a local merchant that accepts them for proper recycling and disposal.
To find recycling locations for any materials, including motor oil, visit Earth 911.
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