Around Your Home

You can easily prevent stormwater and wastewater pollution by taking some simple steps around your home.

  • Be sure all trash and recyclables are in appropriate bins with lids and/or secured so light-weight items don’t get carried away by the wind. Trash and bottles and cans can clog storm drains, creating flooding problems during storm season and, if washed down, can pollute creeks and the Bay.
  • Clean out the garage! Dispose of unused paints, solvents, and cleaners at your local household hazardous waste collection facility – never down any indoor or outdoor drain. Use our recycling location search engine to the left to find nearby locations.
  • Never dump unwanted paint or other chemicals down any indoor or outdoor drain. Use the search engine to the left to find nearby recycling locations.
  • Give yourself a break – use a commercial car wash to avoid runoff. When washing the car yourself, even bio-degradable car wash soap harms aquatic life before it completely breaks down. Try washing it on the lawn or over gravel and keep the runoff out of the storm drain.