What can citizens do to reduce nonpoint source pollution?
• Limit use of pesticides and fertilizer and use them at appropriate times of the year in recommended amounts. Introduce natural predators to your garden, and use pest resistant plants. Remove eggs, larvae, cocoons, and adults from plants by hand. • Prevent property erosion by covering bare soil with vegetation and mulch. • Participate in a stream cleanup program. • Remove obstructions from stream channels and revegetate stream banks. • Don t mow all the way to the edge of a lake or pond. Leave a buffer of tall grasses or shrubs to filter pollutants. • Landscape yards to minimize rainwater runoff. • Preserve neighborhood trees that help minimize the damage caused by surface runoff. • Place retaining walls or diversions on steeply sloping ground to reduce the rate of water flow and erosion. • Make sure septic tanks work properly. • Dispose of litter in garbage cans or in recycling bins. Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, motor oil, and newspapers. • Compost yard and garden waste.
• Limit use of pesticides and fertilizer and use them at appropriate times of the year in recommended amounts. Introduce natural predators to your garden, and use pest resistant plants. Remove eggs, larvae, cocoons, and adults from plants by hand. • Prevent property erosion by covering bare soil with vegetation and mulch. • Participate in a stream cleanup program. • Remove obstructions from stream channels and revegetate stream banks. • Don’t mow all the way to the edge of a lake or pond. Leave a buffer of tall grasses or shrubs to filter pollutants. • Landscape yards to minimize rainwater runoff. • Preserve neighborhood trees that help minimize the damage caused by surface runoff. • Place retaining walls or diversions on steeply sloping ground to reduce the rate of water flow and erosion. • Make sure septic tanks work properly. • Dispose of litter in garbage cans or in recycling bins. Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, motor oil, and newspapers. • Compost yard and garden waste.
