Ways to Prevent Stormwater Pollution

Activities that seem harmless or insignificant on a small scale can have an enormous cumulative impact on our waterways. Below are some ways you can help:

• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
• Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
• Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. Take advantage of Putnam County’s hazardous waste collection days to safely dispose of household chemicals.
• Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum, every 3-5 years so that it operates properly.
• Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains-these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
• Participate/organize a storm drain stenciling program.
• Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and reservoirs.

Report Issues

If you see an issue that might negatively impact the waterways in our Town, please contact Code Enforcement at 845-279-8873 and provide as much detail as possible about the situation you observed.

Activities for Children

Children can participate too. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a kids page with fun activities.