Stormwater Pollution Prevention Tips

Are you contributing to stormwater pollution when you work in your yard? Leaves, lawn clippings and branches often end up in City storm drains, where they can clog pipes. Lawn waste that passes through the storm drains also winds up in our creeks, streams and rivers. Yard waste (especially grass clippings), in streams can add unnaturally high levels of nutrients which can lead to fish kills. Yard waste can contain herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers; it also may contain seeds and roots that can spread non-native and invasive plants to streams and their surroundings.

Do your part to keep the storm drains flowing and streams/tributaries clean by managing yard waste responsibly. Bag leaves and grass clippings in paper, not plastic, yard waste bags (found at hardware and home improvement stores). Place bagged yard waste at the curb the night before scheduled pick-ups, and make sure the bags aren’t blocking storm drains. Never blow leaves or any other materials into a storm drain.

Composting yard waste is another alternative. Well-composted grass clippings and leaves make excellent mulch.