What can I do for water quality?

RURAL and URBAN residents

• Minimize mowed lawn by planting trees, shrubs, flowers, specialty gardens (Rain gardens, butterfly gardens, etc)
• Reduce or eliminate fertilizer and pesticide use
• Replace old septic systems and maintain existing septic systems with regular pumping
• Never dump any products down a storm drain, many outlet directly into the river
• Direct downspouts to a grassed area
• Sweep spilled fertilizer off paved surfaces
• Conserve water
• Mow grass high, about 3-3 1/2 inches

FARMERS

• Farm slopes on the contour, and include grass or hay strips
• Utilize crop rotations and cover crops to reduce pesticide use
• Don't apply fertilizer in the fall
• Leave waterways grassed and maintain adequate outlets
• Develop a nutrient management plan to reduce fertilizer use and utilize manure nutrients
• Retire odd corners and difficult or erodible fields. Plant trees or grasses on odd spots to benefit wildlife
• Minimize tillage
• Plant cover crops such as oats or rye after early crop harvest
• Leave a grass or forested buffer along streams