Stormwater pollution can be controlled if everyone plays a part in managing stormwater runoff where we live and work.  The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution is to prevent pollutants from entering the system in the first place.  By making responsible decisions about what enters the storm sewer system upstream, we improve water quality and the downstream aquatic habitat.

Tips for improving stormwater quality in Harrisonburg.

• Never dump anything down a storm drain or drainage ditch. Throw litter in its place. Trash and litter can clog storm drains and become a breeding ground for pests. When washed into storm drains, trash can cause harmful effects downstream.
• Put a lid on it. Make sure trash cannot blow or fall out of trash or recycling containers, so it does not become litter and wash down storm drains.

Pet Care

• Pick up after your pet. Imagine the amount of waste that the city’s thousands of dogs and cats produce every day. If pet owners don’t clean up after their pets, a significant portion of pet waste washes into storm drains and Blacks Run increasing public health risks. City code states that pet waste must be cleaned up, which keeps our city and our storm water cleaner. Flushing pet waste down the toilet is the best disposal method. Take plastic grocery bags with you on your next walk or pick one up from one of the pet waste stations that have been installed by the city throughout city parks. More info.

Yard Care

• Be Tree-Friendly. One of the best things residents can do to improve stormwater quality is to plant trees. Tree leaves help slow rain as it falls to the ground, thus increasing water absorption. Leaf litter on the ground also slows stormwater runoff and keeps the soil surface looser, so more water can be absorbed rather than run off. Tree roots hold soil, preventing sediment from washing away with stormwater.
• Conserve Water. Landscaping is a major consumer of residential water. Purchase or make your own rainbarrel  to collect rainwater from your roof, and use natural rain water to water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, like in the early morning, and don't let water run off into the storm drain. Water Conservation Tips.
• Compost Happens. Grass clippings and leaves should be kept out of streets, so they do not wash down storm drains. Rotting organic matter can pollute waterways with excess nutrients. In addition, yard waste can clog storm drains, which can lead to street flooding. Bag yard waste for collection by Harrisonburg's Department of Public Works, or start a compost pile and turn vegetative waste into “black gold” for your garden. Your plants will thank you!
• Select native plants and grasses that are drought- and pest-resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard to prevent soil erosion and keep sediments out of Blacks Run. Cover piles of dirt and mulch being used in landscaping projects to prevent these pollutants from blowing or washing off your yard into Blacks Run.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in recommended amounts. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise chemicals will be washed into your local stream. 
• Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetative area in your yard. Use native plants in your landscaping to reduce the need for watering during dry periods. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns and other measures to increase infiltration and reduce polluted runoff.
• Learn about Bayscaping. BayScapes are environmentally-sound landscapes benefiting people, wildlife, and the Chesapeake Bay. They can be in backyards, business grounds, parks, container gardens, schoolyards, and more. BayScapes are low-input landscapes, requiring less mowing, less fertilizing, and less pesticide use; they help to protect the water quality in our streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay; they are attractive, colorful landscapes with hundreds of colorful and beneficial plants to choose from; they help reduce pollution, and also provide diverse habitats for songbirds, small mammals, butterflies, and other creatures. [More info ]

Home Repair and Improvement

• Locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris before beginning and outdoor project. Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.
• Properly dispose of hazardous household waste. Cleaning products, batteries, and many other harmful pollutants can accidentally run into drains or drainage ditches and from there into waterways. Public works holds an annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection day every September.
• Clean paint brushes in the sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints by bringing your oil-based paints to the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection day. For water-based paints, remove the lid and let the paint completely dry. Then place the can out on your Bulk Collection Day.
• Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.

Vehicle Care

• Soap your car, not the stream. For home car washing, park vehicles over grass to keep soapy water from flowing down driveways, into streets and down storm drains. The soil in your yard will trap and filter the soap, and the soap won’t harm your grass. Soap and detergents that run unfiltered into streams can harm aquatic life. Better yet, go to commercial car washes, which use water efficiently and drain used water to the sewage system for treatment.
• Care for your vehicle properly.  It takes only one quart of oil to contaminate a million gallons of water. Check your vehicles for leaks and repair them. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand, and don't rinse the spills into a nearby storm drain. After changing your oil and other automotive fluids, take them to a local merchant that accepts them for proper recycling and disposal.  To find a place visit: www.earth911.org

Tell a friend or neighbor about how to prevent stormwater pollution.

To learn more, please visit www.cleanstream.org.