Nutrient Pollution : What can you do ?

What You Can Do: In Your Home

Cleaning Supplies-Detergents and Soaps:

• Choose phosphate-free detergents, soaps, and household cleaners.
• Select the proper load size for your washing machine.
• Only run your clothes or dish washer when you have a full load.
• Use the appropriate amount of detergent; more is not better.

Pet Waste:

• Always pick up after your pet.
• Avoid walking your pet near streams and other waterways. Instead, walk them in grassy areas, parks or undeveloped areas.
• Inform other pet owners of why picking up pet waste is important and encourage them to do so.
• Take part in a storm drain marking program in your area to help make others aware of where pet waste and other runoff goes when not disposed of properly.

Septic Systems:

• Inspect your septic system annually.
• Pump out your septic system regularly. (Pumping out every two to five years is recommended for a three-bedroom house with a 1,000-gallon tank; smaller tanks should be pumped more often).
• Do not use septic system additives. There is no scientific evidence that biological and chemical additives aid or accelerate decomposition in septic tanks; some additives can in fact be detrimental to the septic system or contaminate ground water.
• Do not divert storm drains or basement pumps into septic systems.
• Avoid or reduce the use of your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals contribute unnecessary solids to your septic system and can also increase the frequency your tank needs to be pumped.
• Don't use toilets as trash cans. Excess solids can clog your drain field and necessitate more frequent pumping.
• When installing a septic system, maintain a safe distance from drinking water sources to avoid potential contamination. Avoid areas with high water tables and shallow impermeable layers.
• Plant only grass in the drain field and avoid planting trees, bushes, or other plants with extensive root systems that could damage the system's tank or pipes.
• Visit EPA's Septic Smart website to learn more about how your septic system works and simple tips on how to properly maintain it. You can also find resources to launch a local septic education campaign.

Water Efficiency:                        

• Devices like low-flow showerheads can reduce the volume of wastewater discharged to home septic systems and sewage treatment plants.
• Choose WaterSense labeled products which are high performing, water efficient appliances.
• Use low-flow faucets, shower heads, reduced-flow toilet flushing equipment, and water-saving appliances such as dish- and clothes washers.
• Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pumps.
• Take short showers instead of baths and avoid letting faucets run unnecessarily.

Energy Efficiency:

• Using less electricity at home can reduce emissions of nitrogen pollution from energy production.
• Turn things off or unplug them when you're not using them.
• Adjust the thermostat by a few degrees to be slightly warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter.
• Replace old light bulbs with new energy efficient bulbs.
• Use a power strip to turn on and off electronic devices.
• Open shades to utilize daylight instead of turning on lights; on cool days this helps to keep rooms warmer.
• In the summer, close shades when not in the room to keep rooms cooler and use less electricity.
• Hang-dry clothes instead of using the dryer.
• Find out if it is possible to switch to wind generated energy.
• Check out EPA's Energy Star homepage for more tips on how to reduce your electricity use

What You Can Do: Vehicles

Washing Your Car:

• Use a commercial car wash; commercial car washes are required to properly dispose of wastewater and many filter and recycle their water.
• If washing your car at home consider the following actions:
• Wash your car on a pervious surface such as grass or gravel (not concrete or asphalt) so water is filtered before reaching a water body.
• Use nontoxic, phosphate-free soaps.
• Use soap sparingly.
• Minimize runoff by reducing water use, using a spray nozzle to restrict water flow.
• Wring out sponges and rags over the bucket or in a sink, not the ground.
• Empty wash water into the sink or toilet, or the grass if you wish to dispose of it outside.
• Use waterless car wash products for spot-cleaning or a car wash kit, which redirects water from storm drains.
• When conducting car wash fundraisers use a car wash kit; many cities will lend kits free of charge to groups conducting car washes for fundraising, or you can buy car wash kits.

Driving:

• Plan out your errands for one trip so you can reduce the amount of time you have to drive.
• Carpool with friends or coworkers.
• Take public transportation.
• Consider alternative means of travel, such as biking or walking whenever practical.
• Telecommute from home.
• Choose for flex fuel, diesel, hybrid, compact, or other fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Get better gas mileage:
  • Routinely checking tire pressure.
  • Avoid using the air conditioning during city driving.
  • Be light on the gas by using smooth acceleration and deceleration and maintain a constant speed.
  • Regularly service and perform maintenance on your car.

What You Can Do: In Your Yard

Lawn care:

• Apply fertilizers only when necessary and at the recommended amount.
• Don't apply fertilizer before windy or rainy days.
• Apply fertilizer as close as possible to the period of maximum uptake and growth for grass and other plants, which is usually spring and fall in cool climate, and early and late summer in warm climates.
• Avoid applying fertilizer close to waterways.
• Do not overwater lawns and garden; use a soaker hose, a porous hose that releases water directly to the ground, which can reduce overwatering that carries away fertilizers that would otherwise enrich lawns and gardens.
• Fill fertilizer spreaders on a hard surface so that any spills can be easily cleaned up.
• Properly store unused fertilizers and properly dispose of empty containers.
• Maintain your lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums and similar outdoor power equipment to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

Garden care:

• Plant a rain garden of native plants, shrubs and trees that reduce the amount of fertilizer needed and provide a way for water to soak into the ground.
• Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater; the rainwater can later be used to wash your car or water your plants and lawn.
• Adopt techniques that utilize natural processes to manage stormwater runoff and reduce the impact of impervious surfaces on water quality.
• Use pervious pavers for walkways and low traffic areas to allow water to soak into the ground.
• Install a green roof on your home or business.
• Incorporate best management practices, such as grassed swales, filter strips, or buffer strips on your property to control and temporarily store stormwater runoff.
• Use yard waste, which includes grass clippings and leaves, in mulch or compost for your garden. If this is not an option, prepare all clippings and leaves for community composting, or in barrels or secured papers bags for disposal, which keeps them from washing into streams.