It is springtime and many residents are beginning to work in their yards and gardens. Therefore, it's time to remind our community that common landscape practices and the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers can harm our local waterways.
As spring rains flow over yards and impervious surfaces like driveways, streets, roofs and parking lots, it picks up pollutants and transports them to our local creeks, streams and lakes. The following guidelines will help protect our local waterways keeping them clean and healthy.
- Never sweep or blow yard wastes such as leaves, grass clippings or tree limbs/trimmings into the streets, gutters, concrete channels or any waterway. These wastes will decay in our creeks and storm drains using up oxygen and releasing nutrients which can cause excessive algae growth. These wastes can also clog storm drains increasing the risk of localized flooding.
- Report illegal dumping - The community's help is essential in catching and deterring illegal dumping into the storm drain system, creeks, streams and lake. Call the action center at 817-459-6777 or file an online report at arlingtontx.gov/contact.
- Read the label! Select and apply fertilizers or pesticides according to the manufacturers label instructions. This will minimize harmful effects on non-target or beneficial species and reduce environmental hazards.
- Apply fertilizers or pesticides sparingly; use a slow-release product, and/or a low toxicity product when possible. Remove excess fertilizer or pesticide from impervious areas such as driveways and sidewalks. Never apply fertilizers or pesticides when rain has been forecast!
- Remember to properly store and dispose of all household chemicals. For more information, please visit arlington-tx.gov/recycle/household-hazardous-waste-properly-dispose/.
- Develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan using native and adaptive plants that require less water, less pesticides and/or fertilizers. Please visist http://www.arlington-tx.gov/stormwater/texas-smart-yards/ or txsmartscape.com or txsmartscape.com for more information.
Visit the Stormwater Management webpage to find out other ways to prevent stormwater pollution.
Stormwater
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