Insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life, pollute the waters and close beaches. Humans and land animals can become sick from eating diseased fish or ingesting polluted water.
Recycle or properly
dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides,
pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour
them onto the ground or into storm drains because they will even eventually end up in
the lakes and streams.
See your county UW-Extension family living educator for alternatives to toxic household products.
Waukesha County Hazardous Waste Program Link
Sediments from eroding soils washing into the water ways from storm water runoff can cause brown water, streams and rivers to become shallower and get wider and increasing the flooding problems. With shallower waters, the water temperature will raise replacing cold water fish with carp. These situations can make for an unpleasant lake or stream for your use.
To decrease erosion and to stabilize an
area plant new vegetation and divert drainage away from the lake whenever possible,
this is especially important right after
construction. Limit clearing
and grading, particularly on slopes that drain to the shoreline.
When installing a walkway, one the goes directly goes
up and down a slope that drains near the shore utilize steps for this. By
constructing the step out of paver stones or wood instead of concrete will allow some
storm water to seep through these materials and cut down on the amount of run off.
10-0-10
– the middle number on the fertilizer bag identifies how much phosphorus is in the
product. Most lawns and gardens already have adequate if not excessive amounts of
phosphorus in their soils. Through stormwater runoff, excess phosphorus can lead to
an increase of unfavorable algae growth and weeds which can be harmful to fish and
make for a less desirable water way for recreational activities.
Use fertilizers that do not contain
phosphorus. The middle number on the bag should be zero, it indicates the amount of
phosphorus.
Middle number
Did you know that each downspout on a house can drain approximately 12 gallons of water per minute during a one-inch rainfall?
Allow the stormwater to soak in rather than run off your property, this filter out pollutants and replenishes our groundwater. Stormwater runoff picks up pollutants from motor oil, lawn chemicals, and pet waste along the way before entering lakes and streams.
Direct down spouts onto your lawn or
landscaping instead of hard surfaces such as a driveway or sidewalk.
This can help keep lawns and gardens green while
lowering utility bills during spring and summer months.
How you care for your shoreland can impact an entire lake or river system.
A shoreland buffer is a zone of native
vegetation that extends from the ordinary high water mark inland at least 35 feet.
It holds soil in place to help with erosion along with intercept and purify runoff
water. Preserving and improving the shoreland buffer can benefit the landowner as
well as the water resource.
These benefits include:
Less time and cost for lawn maintenance.
Properties along waterways with undisturbed natural vegetation
Usually have the highest property
A common understanding is that the storm sewers go to the wastewater treatment plant. This is not true; they go to the nearest river, lake or stream.
Minimize your use of de-icing materials
on sidewalk or driveways.
Sweep and debris off driveways and walks – do not wash.
Do not use storm sewer for disposing of hazardous waste or other materials.
Do not allow soil, leaves or grass clippings to accumulate on your driveway, sidewalk or street.