DirtyDozen-Revised“The Dirty Dozen”
12 Tips to Prevent Storm Water Pollution
Remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains to avoid
water runoff; during winter runoff can freeze causing slippery
conditions.
Bag your pet’s waste–don’t just leave it there. Leaving pet
waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing
harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain
and eventually into local waterbodies.
Don’t apply pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides before it rains. Contrary to
popular belief, the rain won’t help to soak these chemicals into the ground; it
will only help create polluted runoff into our local creeks.
Select native and adapted plants and grasses that are drought
and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer,
and pesticides. Learn more about native and adapted plants
at www.txsmartscape.com
Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of
vegetated area in your yard.
If you change your car’s oil, don’t dump it on the ground or in the storm
drain; dispose of it properly at an oilrecycling center.
Check your car, boat, or motorcycle for leaks. Clean up spilled
fluids with an absorbent material, don’t rinse the spills into the
storm drain.
Don’t get rid of grass clippings and other yard waste by dumping it or
sweeping it into the storm drain; this will cause depleted oxygen for aquatic
life. Instead, compost your yard waste.
When washing your car at home, wash with only water
or use biodegradable soap and wash it on a lawn or other
unpaved surface; better yet take your car to a professional
car wash.
Don’t get rid of old or unused paint by throwing it down the storm drain;
dispose of paint and other household hazardous waste at recycling facilities.
Don’t pump your pool water into the storm drain–pool
chemicals can be hazardous to our creek habitats.
Whenever possible, drain your pool into the sanitary
sewer system where it can be treated.
Don’t mess with Texas! Throw litter away in a garbage
can, not out your window. Recycle what you can!
This message is brought to you by the Regional Storm Water Management Program and its
Public Education Task Force