There are lots of ways we can help avoid storm water pollution. Here are a few of the basics:

• Don't litter.
• Don't dump anything except water into a storm drain.
• Take all of your unwanted paint, chemicals, cleaners, fuels, pesticides and hazardous waste to the appropriate Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

At Home

• Never pour household products such as cleansers, beauty products, medicine, used motor oil and other auto fluids, paint, lawn care, or household chemicals on the ground or in a storm drain.
• Don't pour any of the products listed above down the sink or flush them down the toilet.
• Try using non-toxic alternatives to home cleaning chemicals.
• Don't buy more household cleaner or other chemicals than you need for a particular job.
• Read and follow directions on the use of household chemicals and disposal of containers.
• Sweep driveways and patios clean instead hosing them down.
• Check for leaky faucets and turn off the water when brushing teeth to conserve water.
• Buy products with less packaging whenever possible.

In Your Yard

• Try to clean up after your pet before it rains and dispose of the waste in a garbage can or flush it down the toilet.
• Adequately contain your curbside trash so that it won't leak, fall over or blow around.
• Preserve established trees in your yard and neighborhood.
• Don't overuse fertilizers and pesticides if you choose to use them.
• Plant trees, shrubs and ground covers that filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff.
• Don't cut your grass too short. Adjust your lawnmower to the proper height to reduce runoff from lawns.
• Choose to plant native vegetation and or plants that require little or no fertilizer.
• Don't overwater your plants and lawn. Make sure water doesn't wash over streets and sidewalks.
• Recycle yard debris, or use it to make compost, instead of raking it into streets where it can wash into storm sewers.
• Compost or mulch can help to hold moisture in the soil and control weeds.
• Sweep your garage and driveway into a dustpan rather than into the street.

Your Car

• Repair vehicle or equipment leaks.
• Recycle used motor oil.
• When you wash your car, park it on the grass instead of on the street or driveway, or go use a covered carwash station.
• Don't throw your cigarette butts out the car window.

Your Boat

• Dispose of trash or sewage from your boat in the appropriate manner.
• Watch for fuel spills when you fill your tank.
• Reduce your wake near the shoreline to minimize erosion.
• Use soap without phosphate to wash your boat.
• Use steel sinkers or washers instead of lead sinkers when you go fishing.

At Industrial sites
Chemical spills that contain toxic substances, smoke stacks that spew emissions and uncovered or unprotected outdoor storage or waste areas can contribute pollutants to storm water runoff.

• Wash vehicles or equipment in wash bays hooked up to the sanitary sewer. Don't wash off detergents, oils, and greases into streets or storm drains.
• Divert rainfall runoff from fueling islands by building a canopy or cover over them.
• In compliance with Fire Code, any barrels containing potentially hazardous liquids should be stored in a sealed container, inside a building or under cover, and propped up on pallets with secondary containment in case of a spill. Call the Fire Department for code specifics.
• Waste and processed water of any type must be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
• Discharge of wastewater to the ground or storm drains is prohibited.
• Hosing off pavements wash pollutants into storm drains that lead straight to the river.
• Educate employees on spill cleanup procedures. Have cleanup materials nearby with a spill prevention plan.

On Construction Sites
Waste from chemicals and materials used in construction, and soil that erodes from construction sites can pose a problem. Listed below are other harmful contributors from the construction site.

• Wash waters from concrete mixers should be disposed of back at the contractor's site or deposited into a large hole dug into the site, which would be big enough to contain all the wash waters. Concrete truck chutes should never be rinsed out with a hose and allowed to run directly into the storm drains.
• Waste storage for used oils, solvents and other hazardous fluids must be under cover with secondary containment in case of a spill and to prevent rainfall from contact that would wash hazardous fluids into nearby waterways.
• Landscaping and earthmoving can all contribute to soil erosion. Silt fences hold back loose soil and sand when it gets windy, which help keeps sand and soils from being blown into street gutters where rainwater can wash it into storm drains.
• Engine repairs or preventive maintenance such as oil changes may take place at the construction site and pose a problem. Maintain a "dry site" by using off site facilities, performing work in designated areas only, providing cover for materials stored outside, containing and cleaning up spills immediately, and training employees and subcontractors.

Learn more about what you can do
Citizen involvement is an important part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Citizen involvement occurs at the time of the initial State NPDES authorization process, through submission of public comments and participation at public hearings, and may occur during any substantial program revision. Citizens may also participate in the Federal rulemaking process where NPDES program requirements are established. Citizen participation helps to ensure the NPDES permit program is working effectively in every community. A large body of information is available to help interested citizens understand how the NPDES permit program helps to achieve the Nation's clean water goals. If you are a citizen that wants more information on the NPDES permit program, Water Permitting 101 [PDF Format] is a brief overview and history of NPDES program.