Make Smart Choices Maintaining Cars & Driveways

Sweeping.JPG Simple steps can prevent many common pollutants from washing off your driveway into the curb and down storm drains that lead (untreated) into rivers. Consider porous pavement options when possible.

  • Maintain vehicles to prevent leaking fluids from washing into the curb and storm drains - and ultimately into the river with stormwater.
  • Absorb leaks on the driveway with sand or cat litter, then sweep up and place in the trash.
  • Wash Your Car Responsibly
     If washing at home, do so over gravel or in the yard to avoid soapy runoff from flowing into the curb and entering the storm drains. Better yet, go to a commercial car wash when possible - they are required to dispose of the water through the sanitary sewer system, where it will be treated.
  • Sweep debris from sidewalks and driveways instead of washing it away with water.
  • Consider Pervious (porous) Pavement
    Pervious pavement provides a hard surface while allowing water to filter through and reach the underlying soil where pollutants can filter out naturally. Benefits include: improves water quality, melts snow & drains faster, recharges groundwater, lessens downstream flooding and stream bank erosion.

Pervious Pavement Information

Slows Down, Soaks In & Cleans Up Stormwater Naturally

View the Pervious Pavement(PDF, 1MB) signage installed at the reservoirs.

Rainfall and melting snow carry oils, sediments and other pollutants from impervious (non-porous) surfaces such as buildings, sidewalks, roads, driveways, parking lots and rooftops to nearly waterways.

One way to lessen the impact on our rivers and streams is to reduce the amount of impervious surface. Many alternatives provide a hard surface while allowing water to filter through and reach the underlying soil where pollutants can filter out naturally.

A parking lot (illustrated below) featuring pervious concrete and pavers, can be designed so that regular asphalt drains towards the pervious sections, where pollutants can filter into the ground.

Water Fact: Did You Know?
Watershed health begins to decline with 10% impervious surface. 30% impervious cover shows severe impairment.

Benefits Include:

  • Improves water quality
  • Melts snow & drains faster
  • Recharges groundwater
  • Reduces heat-island effects
  • Lessens downstream flooding & stream bank erosion

Keep it Clean

Keep it Clean

Simple steps you can take at home to prevent water pollution.

Take a Tour

take a self-guided tour

Signage installed at Griggs, O'Shaughnessy & Hoover Reservoirs invites park visitors to take a self-guided tour along the shoreline & learn about the green infrastructure installed there.

Rain gardens, porous pavement & more can improve the quality of storm water entering the reservoirs that supply our drinking water.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Protect our Waterways

Protect our Waterways
Illustration Courtesy of NCDENR

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