There are several ways you can get involved and be a steward for your community water supply. Below are just a few of the everyday actions you can take to make a positive impact.
1. Think Twice about Lawn and Garden Chemicals
Limit the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and always follow the label directions. Many fertilizers and pesticides contain harmful chemicals which can travel through the soil and contaminate groundwater or run off in stormwater to rivers, streams, and lakes.
2. Dispose of harmful materials properly
Don't pour hazardous waste down the sink, on the ground, or into storm sewers. This could contaminate the soil, groundwater, or nearby surface water. A number of products used at home contain hazardous or toxic substances that can contaminate ground or surface waters, such as:
- Motor oil
- Pesticides
- Leftover paints or paint cans
- Mothballs
- Household cleaners
- Medicines
Michigan's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program has more advice on how to safely manage and reduce the use of these materials.
3. Wash your car responsibly
Soaps used in driveway car washes eventually drain to our waterways and are harmful to aquatic life. Here are some tips for an environmentally friendly wash:
- Use a commercial car wash. They are required to treat dirty water and also use water-efficient nozzles.
- Wash your car on gravel or grass. These surfaces can filter dirty water before it enters the ground. It also keeps pollutants out of our rivers and streams.
- Dump your wash water down the toilet. Household wastewater is treated before it re-enters our waterways.
4. Volunteer in your community
Take action by educating yourself and urging your community to get involved.
Find or start a group dedicated to source water protection, become a water steward, or join a beach, wetland, or river clean-up!