Water Quality

Water Quality Tips

• Reduce residential lawn areas: Replace high-maintenance turf grass with low-water groundcovers, rock gardens, or wild clover (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
• Cover Mulch piles with tarp. Sweep outdoor surfaces clean: Use a stiff broom instead of a garden hose to clear dirt off driveways, decks, and sidewalks (EPA WaterSense, 2023).
• Wash vehicles on grass lawns: Park your car on turf when washing to let soil naturally filter soapy rinse runoff away from storm drains (EPA, 2021).
• Use biodegradable dish soaps: Choose plant-based detergents free of synthetic dyes and artificial fragrances to minimize graywater chemical loads (European Chemicals Agency [ECHA], 2022).
• Avoid chemical drain openers: Use mechanical drain snakes, plungers, or baking soda and vinegar mixes to prevent chemical corruption of water infrastructure (EPA, 2023).
• Dispose of medications properly: Never flush expired prescription pills down toilets; utilize local community take-back kiosks to prevent aquatic toxin loading (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2021).
• Pick up outdoor pet waste: Clean up backyard droppings promptly to prevent harmful coliform bacteria from washing into local storm sewers (USGS, 2022).
• Eliminate synthetic lawn fertilizers: Opt for organic compost top-dressing to prevent nutrient pollution and toxic algal blooms in local waterways (EPA, 2024).
• Group plants by water needs: Practice hydrozoning by placing thirstier plants together and drought-tolerant species elsewhere to avoid overwatering (USDA NRCS, 2021).
• Adjust lawn mower blade heights: Set blades higher (3–4 inches) to encourage deeper grass roots that retain soil moisture (USDA NRCS, 2022).
• Monitor your main water meter: Check your household water meter reading during a two-hour window of total appliance inactivity to verify zero hidden pipeline leaks (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
• Reduce residential lawn areas: Replace high-maintenance turf grass with low-water groundcovers, rock gardens, or wild clover (EPA WaterSense, 2024).
• Cover Mulch piles with tarp. Sweep outdoor surfaces clean: Use a stiff broom instead of a garden hose to clear dirt off driveways, decks, and sidewalks (EPA WaterSense, 2023).
• Wash vehicles on grass lawns: Park your car on turf when washing to let soil naturally filter soapy rinse runoff away from storm drains (EPA, 2021).