Regardless of what their surface is made of, driveways and parking areas are generally impervious to stormwater. Rain and snowmelt can wash pollutants like sand and salt off of the driveway into nearby waterways, where they degrade water quality.

Homes, barns, sheds, and other structures prevent the natural infiltration of water, which increases the chance of stormwater runoff and erosion. Installing infiltration trenches, rain gardens, or rain barrels, and designing patios with infiltration in mind, mitigates the potential for pollution from stormwater.

Lawns, footpaths and other areas cleared of natural vegetation can contribute to water pollution through runoff and erosion. Misuse or overuse of fertilizer on your property causes runoff pollution that feeds cyanobacteria blooms.

Lawns, footpaths and other areas cleared of natural vegetation can contribute to water pollution through runoff and erosion. Misuse or overuse of fertilizer on your property causes runoff pollution that feeds cyanobacteria blooms.

Vegetation along the shoreline is a lake or stream’s last line of defense against pollution coming off of the surrounding landscape and into the lake or stream. Vegetation prevents erosion, slows down stormwater, provides wildlife habitat, and discourages geese.

Regular maintenance of your sewer connection or onsite septic system helps extend its life and reduce the likelihood of failure. Failed systems pollute groundwater, lakes, ponds, and streams with bacteria and nutrients that drive cyanobacteria blooms.