Household Products

1. Do you properly dispose of household hazardous waste such as left over paint, excess pesticides, nail polish remover, varnish, etc. by taking them to your city or county's hazardous waste disposal site or by putting them out on hazardous waste collection days? Labels such as WARNING, CAUTION and DANGER indicates the item contains ingredients that are hazardous if improperly used or disposed of.

Yes No

2. Do you select less toxic alternatives or use non-toxic substitutes? Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, lemon juice and ammonia, are safe alternatives to caustic chemicals. And they save you money.

Yes No

1. 3.      Do you buy chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides only in the amount you expect to use, and apply them only as directed on the label?

Yes No

4. Do you use low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents? Excess nutrients overstimulate the growth of aquatic weeds and algae, which can deplete oxygen in our stream and lakes and kill aquatic life.

Yes No

5. Do you recycle used oil, antifreeze, and car batteries by taking them to service stations and other recycling centers?

Yes No

Landscaping and Gardening

6. Do you select plants with low requirements for water, fertilizers, and pesticides? (e.g. native plants)

Yes No

7. Do you preserve existing trees and plant trees and shrubs along the stream to help prevent erosion and promote infiltration of water into the soil?

Yes No

8. Do you leave lawn clippings on your lawn so that the nutrients in the clippings are recycled, less fertilizer is needed, and less yard waste goes to landfills?  If your community does not compost lawn trimming, it usually goes to landfills.

Yes No

9. Do you prevent trash, lawn clippings, leaves and automobile fluids from entering storm drains? Most storm drains are directly connect to our creeks, lakes, and rivers.

Yes No

10. If your family uses a professional lawn care service, do you select a company that employs trained technicians and minimizes the use of fertilizers and pesticides?

Yes No

11. Do you have a compost bin or pile? Do you use compost and mulch (such as grass clippings or leaves) to reduce your need for fertilizers and pesticides? Compost is a valuable soil conditioner which gradually releases nutrients to your lawn and garden. In addition, compost retains moisture in the soil and thus helps conserve water and prevent erosion and runoff.

Yes No

11. Do you test your soil before fertilizing your lawn or garden? Over-fertilization is a common problem, and the excess can leach into groundwater and contaminate rivers or lakes.

Yes No

12. Do you avoid applying pesticides or fertilizers before or during rain? If they run off into the water, they will kill fish and other aquatic organisms.

Yes No

13. Do you avoid applying pesticides or fertilizers before or during rain? If they run off into the water, they will kill fish and other aquatic organisms.

Yes No

Water Conservation

Homeowners can significantly reduce the volume of wastewater discharged to home septic systems and sewage treatment plants by conserving water. If you have a septic system, you can help prevent your system from overloading and contaminating ground and surface water by ensuring that it is functioning properly and decreasing your water usage.

1. 14.  Do you use low-flow faucets, shower heads, and reduced-flow toilet flushing equipment?

Yes No

15. Do you wash your car on the lawn to help filter pollutants? Do you use a bucket instead of a hose to save water? If you go to a commercial carwash, do you use one that uses water efficiently and disposes of runoff properly?

Yes No

16. Do you use dishwashers and clothes washers only when fully loaded?

Yes No

17. Do you take short showers instead of baths and avoid letting faucets run unnecessarily (e.g., when brushing teeth)?       Yes No

18. Do you repair leaking faucets, toilets, and pumps to conserve water?

Yes No

19. Do you conserve the amount of water you use on lawn and only water in the morning and evening to reduce evaporation? Over-watering may increase leaching of fertilizers to groundwater.

Yes No

20. Do you use slow watering techniques such as trickle irrigation or soaker hoses? These devices reduce runoff and are 20 percent more efficient than sprinklers.

Yes No

Other Things You Can Do

1. 21.  Do you always pick up after your pet (e.g., Rover's poop)? If so, be sure to put it in the trash, flush it down the toilet, or bury it at least 5 inches deep. Pet waste contains viruses and bacteria that can contaminate surface and groundwater.

Yes No

22. Have you helped stencil stormdrains to alert people that they drain directly to your local waterbody? If not, get involved with a RiverLink and help stencil your community’s stormdrains.

Yes No

23. Do you ride or drive only when necessary? Try to walk instead. Cars and trucks emit tremendous amounts of airborne pollutants, which increase acid rain. They also deposit toxic metals and petroleum byproducts.

Yes No

24. Do you participate in local planning and zoning in your community? If not, get involved! These decisions shape the course of development and the future quality of your watershed.

Yes No