With spring cleanup and summer fast approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about storm water pollution. Storm water pollution occurs whenever rain or snow melt flows over the land picking up dirt, debris, chemicals and other pollutants and directly discharges these contaminants into lakes, streams, rivers, or other wetlands without treatment. Many of the types of water resources I just named are in many of your backyards! Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, as well as people by destroying aquatic habitats, causing eutrophication of lakes, and by discharging hazardous waste, bacteria and other pathogens into our fishing, swimming, and drinking water supplies.

Homeowners can unknowingly contribute significantly to storm water pollution.  Here are things you can do to minimize your impact on the environment.

1. Follow environmentally sound lawn care practices such as planting native species, limiting fertilizer and pesticide use, composting yard waste and not overwatering which creates runoff.  Collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof rain barrels and use this water to water your lawn and gardens.  Never dump yard debris in wetlands or drainage areas.

2. Be conscious when working on your vehicles: Wash your car on your lawn so that the wastewater infiltrates into the ground.  Never dump any kind of automotive fluids on the ground or into the storm water system.  Always discard of automotive fluids and batteries at designated drop-off and recycling locations.

3. Check your vehicles, boats, watercrafts and other equipment and machinery regularly for leaks and spills.  Clean up spills with absorbent materials immediately and dispose of properly.  Do not wash spills into nearby storm drains.

4. Maintain your septic system: Have it pumped regularly and never dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

5. Always pick up after your pets and dispose of properly.

6. Properly store pool and spa chemicals to prevent leaks and spills, preferably in a covered area to avoid exposure to storm water.

7. As the summer nears an end…Only drain your swimming pools once chlorine can not be detected with a test kit.  Do not drain pool water into storm drains or detention basins.

8. Never dispose of household hazardous waste such as paints, thinners, and cleaners down the drain.  Collect all hazardous waste and dispose of them at Tyngsborough’s annual Hazardous Waste Day, usually held in May of each year.

9. Remember: the grates you see in your street are not connected to a sewer line. The connect right to water resources to properly drain storm water away from your roads and properties. Please don’t pour anything into them. They go right to the brooks, streams and swamps around many of your homes!

Please help improve the water quality of Tyngsborough.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Conservation Commission at 978-649-2300 ext. 116 or email mmarro@tyngsboroughma.gov