Homeowner Tips
Homeowner Tips
Control Stormwater Runoff
- Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of the road and away from storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, wetlands, and Long Island Sound.
- Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions. Use organic products when possible
- Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm drains or behind the stonewall. Support your Town’s efforts to establish a program for collecting household hazardous wastes.
- Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, antifreeze, and fuel. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes or contaminate groundwater.
- Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
If You Have a Septic System
- Pump out and inspect your septic system regularly. (Pumping out every three to five years is recommended for a three-bedroom house with a 1,000-gallon tank; smaller tanks should be pumped more often.)
- Do not use septic system additives. There is no scientific evidence that biological or chemical additives aid decomposition in septic tanks; some additives may in fact be detrimental to the septic system or contaminate ground water.
- Do not divert gutters, storm drains or basement pumps into septic systems.
- Avoid or reduce the use of your garbage disposal because they add unnecessary solids to your septic system and can also increase the frequency your tank needs to be pumped.
- Don't use your toilet as a trash can! Excess solids may clog your drain-field and necessitate more frequent pumping or costly repairs.
When You Landscape or Garden
- Select plants that have low requirements for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
- Cultivate plants that discourage pests. Minimize grassed areas that require high maintenance.
- Preserve existing trees, and plant trees and shrubs to help prevent erosion and promote infiltration of water into the soil.
- Use landscaping techniques such as grass swales (low areas in the lawn) or porous walkways to increase infiltration and decrease runoff.
- Leave lawn clippings on your lawn so that nutrients in the clippings are recycled and less yard waste goes to landfills.
- If you use a professional lawn care service, select a company that employs trained technicians and follows practices designed to minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
- Compost your yard trimmings. Compost is a valuable soil conditioner that gradually releases nutrients to your lawn and garden. Compost retains moisture in the soil and helps conserve water.
- Spread mulch on bare ground to help prevent erosion and runoff.
- Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers before or during rain due to the strong likelihood of runoff.
Garden Chemical Tips
- Mix only enough chemicals to do the job.
- Avoid surplus.
- Store leftovers in a safe place until they can be disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection facility.
- Never flush them down drains or discarded into the environment.
- Empty containers are never empty! Some toxicant always remains; therefore, containers should be disposed of properly.
- On-site disposal or burning of containers is not allowed in Connecticut.
- Pesticides are poisons; consider using natural alternatives.
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If You Have a Farm, Garden or Horses in Your Back Yard
- Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.
- Reduce soil erosion by using best management practices to eliminate runoff around the barn and pasture or in your garden.
- Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers.
- Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank wastes in an approved manner.
If You Have Your Property Logged
Make certain that proper logging and erosion control practices are used by ensuring proper construction, maintenance, and closure of logging roads and skid trails.