Problems and Solutions
Soil and Lawn Care
Most lawns and gardens in Vermont do not need fertilizer. Don’t guess, soil test! Testing your soil is easy and determines whether your soil needs any supplements at all. Unnecessary use of fertilizers and pesticides contribute to water pollution when they wash off and make their way into our storm water system. So when you fertilize without needing to, you actually help things grow in the lake instead of in your lawn or garden.
- Don't guess soil test! Soil testing is easy and helps keep money in your pocket and excess nutrients out of the lake.
Click here to get your free test kit. - Apply fertilizers in the fall, around Labor Day, not in the spring!
- Be sure to use phosphorous-free supplements when needed.
- Do not apply fertilizers or pesticides before rain is forecast.
- Don't over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
- Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Use organic or non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers as directed, and keep them away from ditches, gutters and storm drains. Store them in a covered area, off the ground, to prevent contact with water.
- Compost and mulch yard waste. Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
- Don't blow, sweep, rake or hose yard waste into the street gutter or storm drain.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn or compost them.
Excess Stormwater
Excess stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grown. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats. Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.
- Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens
- You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.
- Rain Gardens and Grassy Swales—Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.
- Vegetated Filter Strips—Filter strips are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap the pollutants stormwater picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.
- For more information about Rain Barrels: Click Here
- For more information about Rain Gardens: Click Here
- To view a video about IBM's rain garden: Click Here
- There are 150 plants suitable for Vermont rain gardens.
Download the following for the complete listing. Plant List 1 Plant List 2 - To make your own rain barrel, click here for complete do-it-yourself instructions.
- For more information on how to effectively redirect your downspout to reduce stormwater runoff:
http://www.lcbp.org/stormwater/pages/downspout_ext.html
For more information about reducing and preventing excess stormwater runoff, check out this newsletter explaining the challenges and solutions: What's Your Stormwater Paradigm?
Pet Waste
Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters. This can cause harm to people and result in beach closures.
- Pick up pet wastes and dispose of it in the trash or by flushing.
Home Improvements
Paints, solvents, adhesives, dusts, sediments and household toxics commonly associated with home repair and remodeling activities make their way into the local storm drain system. These items do not get treated before reaching Lake Champlain. Additionally, localized flooding and polluted standing water damages homes and breeds mosquitoes.
- Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Properly dispose of excess paint through a household hazardous waste collection program. For oil-based paints, brush out as much paint and possible, clean with thinner, and then filter and reuse thinner or solvent.
- Common household cleaners, paint products, and wallpaper and tile adhesives contain toxic substances. Dispose of these products properly.
- Keep all construction debris away from the street. Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar. Cover excavated material and stockpiles of asphalt, sand, etc. with plastic tarps.
- Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses, which will shield and bind the soil.
- Bank and berm around home construction projects to prevent erosion and sediment from clogging streams, stormwater catch basins and stormwater drains.
Auto Care
Washing your car on pavement sends detergents directly into storm drain systems. In addition, oil, grease, copper worn from brake linings, zinc from tires, and toxics from spilled fluids make their way into storm drains and do not get treated before reaching nearby waterbodies. This stresses aquatic life causing fish to become contaminated and die.
- Use a commercial car wash to prevent oil and grease, and other toxics from washing into our storm drains. At home, vehicles should be washed on the lawn, which can absorb unwanted runoff.
- Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.
- Avoid hosing down your garage floor and driveway; instead, sweep regularly
Check out what's happening in Stormville, or take a look at our other materials below:
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At
HomeSee
what the Regional Stormwater Education Program has been up
to!
View the 2007 presentation
to the Vermont Congressional Delegation. (27MB powerpoint presentation)
