Leaf litter and landscape trash account for 
56% 
of phosphorus in urban stormwater, not to 
mention clogging inlets and increasing 
trash in our streams and waterways.

The amount of phosphorus in glass clippings 
generated from just one lawn mowing can product up to 
100 lbs 
of unwanted algae if it ends up in our 
lakes and ponds

Watering Tips

• Avoid watering paving surfaces such as your driveway and sidewalks. Adjust sprinkler heads.
• Inspect sprinklers monthly to ensure heads and stalks are not in need of maintenance.
• Check for leaks while water is off.
• Water your laws between the hours of 7 pm and 9 am. Watering late at night or early morning lets the water stay on the surface longer and soak in, due to less evaporation.
• Add a rain shut-off device to your sprinkler system. Consider a rain gauge or turn off your system when the lawn has received 3/4 to 1 inch of rain.
• Conserve water by using native plants.
• Remember that overwatering creates many opportunities for fungus and disease. Consider watering your lawn every other day in summer and twice weekly as needed in winter.

Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers (PHF) Application

• Don't apply PHFs when more than 1 inch of rain is expected.
• Never use these products in the wind or rain as they will be carried to the streets and into the storm drain system.
• Less is more! Apply PHFs according to the directions. The label is the law and helps to prevent mistakes or errors.
• Use less toxic or alternative methods for PHFs.

Stormwater Management

Catch basins (inlets) along the curb in the gutter and in parking lots are part of the storm drain system which carries "storm" water off these areas to prevent flooding. This runoff also carries contaminants and pollution from these streets and parking lots directly to the river without being treated.

Stormwater Tips

• Properly dispose of all green waste. Never blow or rinse lawn or landscape clippings into the street or gutter. Sweep up and place in green waste bin. This waste causes flooding issues when it clogs inlets and contributes to increased algae growth in waterways.
• Keep catch basins (inlets) and gutters free of dirt, debris and vegetation. Sweep of shovel gutters and sidewalk. Do no rinse them down with water.
• Never rise off equipment into the street (equipment contains oil, chemicals, and debris). Shovels, rakes, mowers and landscaping tools should be cleaned offsite of on landscaped area.