Make Small Changes at Home

Small changes can make a BIG impact on water quality!

Practice Responsible Lawn Care

When applying chemicals to your lawn, follow the manufacturer's directions to avoid over applying and avoid applying before a heavy rain is expected. Lawn chemicals can run off into storm sewers during heavy rain and harm our rivers and streams.

Reduce Impervious Surfaces

Surfaces such as roofs, driveways, and patios are impervious and do not allow rainwater to filter into the soil. This keeps rain from recharging our groundwater aquifers and forces the water into storm drains. Instead of concrete patios, asphalt driveways, and paved paths try wood decks, gravel, pervious asphalt driveways, and mulched paths.

Practice Green Landscaping

Try mixing compost or biosolids in your garden soil as they both hold water well and are natural fertilizers. Try planting native species in the garden as they require less fertilizer and water.

Conserve Water

Using less water in and around your home means less water is being taken from ground water aquifers (if your water comes from a well) or the St. Joseph River (if you get your drinking water from City Utilities). If less water is treated for use as drinking water, that keeps our utility costs lower. Also, using less water means less water in our sewer system which means a lessened possibility of combined sewer overflows during wet weather.

Don't Misuse Storm Drains

Remember that storm drains are not trash cans. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as oil, antifreeze, and other cleaning agents should be taken to an HHW disposal facility, open weekly for Tox-Away Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the Allen County Department of Environmental Management to learn more at 260-449-7878.

Pick Up Pet Waste

Water that flows into a storm drain is not treated before it flows into our rivers. So, if you leave your pet's waste on a sidewalk or lawn it can end up washing into the rivers during the next rain. Dispose of your pet's waste in a toilet or the trash.

Maintain Your Septic System

Septic systems have the potential of leaching nutrients into the groundwater and can contaminate surface water if the system is not functioning properly.