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Only Rain Down
the Drain
Brochure
(PDF)
Here are some important home and
garden tips from the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District that we hope
you will consider to protect our water resources:
Yard
Keep your trash can area clean.
Litter can blow into a nearby waterway and pollute our creeks.
Keep your lawn and yard clippings
away from gutters and storm drains. Clippings that end up in creeks decompose in
the water and rob the aquatic life of oxygen.
Minimize the use of fertilizers
and pesticides in your garden. If you must use them, choose less-toxic
alternatives. Apply in dry weather and water sparingly after use in order to
keep fertilizers and pesticides in the garden.
Dispose of animal waste properly,
flush it down the toilet or throw it in the trash can.
Parking Area
& Garage
Keep your yard, household, and
automotive chemicals stored in a cool, dry place without leaks. Household toxic
waste must be recycled or properly disposed of to prevent pollution.
Use a broom instead of a hose to
clean parking areas. After using kitty litter or other absorbent material to
soak up auto leaks on concrete, sweep and dispose of it properly.
Recycle used oil, antifreeze, oil
filters and other household toxics. For household hazardous waste collection
drive dates call 1-866-954-8837 or visit www.swaco.org.
When possible, use a commercial
car wash. These businesses recycle the water and have ways to clean the runoff.
Consider using little or no soap
(even biodegradable soaps don't break down soon enough to avoid killing
organisms in the creeks). Try to wash on gravel or grass.
Dispose of extra soapy water in a
sink or toilet.
Home
Improvement Projects
On
Concrete: Sweep up concrete, aggregate and other dust and waste
materials for disposal in the garbage. Do not rinse down the gutter or driveway.
Concrete mixes have chemicals that will poison creek life.
On Paint:
Rinse any latex paint contaminated brushes and rollers in the sink, not out of
doors (send it to the sanitary treatment plant and not the creek). Take paint
thinner, solvents, and other chemicals to a household toxics disposal facility.
On
barbecues: Avoid cleaning grills onto paved areas that can be rinsed
into gutters and creeks. Burnt food buildup on the grill is poisonous to animals
in the creek, even in low concentrations.
Thank you for your cooperation in
helping to protect our environment. For more information, please contact the
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (1328 Dublin Road, Suite 101,
Columbus, Ohio 43215) at (614) 486-9613 or visit their web site at www.franklinswcd.org.
Drainage
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