|
Clean beaches and healthy creeks, rivers,
bays, and ocean are important to Orange County. However, many common
household activities can lead to water pollution if you’re
not careful.
Fertilizers, pesticides and other
chemicals that are left on yards or driveways can be blown or washed
into the storm drains that flow to the ocean. Overwatering lawns
can also send materials into the storm
drains. Unlike water in sanitary sewers (from sinks and toilets),
water in storm drains is not treated before entering our waterways.
You would never pour gardening products into
the ocean, so don’t let them enter the storm drains. Follow these
easy tips to help prevent water
pollution.
For more information, please call the Orange
County Stormwater Program at (714) 567-6363 or visit the Stormwater page.
To report a spill, call the Orange County
24-Hour Water Pollution Problem Reporting Hotline at (714) 567-6363.
The tips contained in this brochure provide
useful information to help prevent water pollution while landscaping
or gardening. If you have other suggestions, please contact
your city’s stormwater representatives or call the Orange
County Stormwater Program.
| For
emergencies dial 911. |
|
General Landscaping Tips
- Protect stockpiles and materials from wind and rain by storing
them under tarps or secured plastic sheeting.
- Prevent erosion of slopes by planting fast-growing,
dense ground covering plants. These will shield and bind the
soil.
- Plan native vegetation to reduce water, fertilizer, herbicides
and pesticides needed.
Garden & Lawn Maintenance
- Do not over water. Use irrigation practices such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro spray systems. Periodically inspect and fix leaks and misdirected sprinklers.
- Do not rake or blow leaves, clippings or pruning
waste into the street, gutter or storm drains. Instead dispose
of waste by composting, hauling it to a permitted landfill,
or as green waste through your city’s recycling program.
- Use slow-release fertilizers to minimize leaching
and use organic fertilizers.
- Read labels and use only as directed. Do not
over-apply pesticides or fertilizers. Apply to spots as needed,
rather than blanketing an entire area.
- Store pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a dry
covered area to prevent exposure that may result in the deterioration
of containers and packaging.
- Rinse empty pesticide containers and re-use rinse
water as you would use the product. Do not dump rinse water
down storm drains. Dispose of empty containers in the trash.
- When available, use non-toxic alternatives to
traditional pesticides and use pesticides specifically designed
to control the pest you are targeting. For more information,
check www.ipm.ucdavis.edu.
- If fertilizer is spilled, sweep up the spill
before applying irrigation water. If the spill is liquid,
apply an absorbent material like cat litter and then sweep and
dispose in the trash.
- Take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Center to be recycled.
 |
| Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers |
| Anaheim: |
1071 N. Blue Gum St. |
| Huntington Beach: |
17121 Nichols St. |
| Irvine: |
6411 Oak Canyon |
| San Juan Capistrano: |
32250 La Pata Ave. |
| For more information, call (714) 834-6752 or visit www.ocwatersheds.com |
|
