Trash
• Throw litter in designated trash bins only.
• Make sure trash containers are properly covered.
• Ensure trash stored in truck beds is secure and cannot blow away.
• If you see litter, pick it up and dispose of properly.
Lawn and Garden Care
• Reduce the use of lawn and garden care products such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides and other chemicals.
• As an alternative, use environmentally friendly replacements that are known as Integrated Pest Management.
• Avoid over-watering and irrigation runoff, which washes these chemicals from lawns and gardens into the storm drain system.
• To save water, consider planting native and drought tolerant plants.
• Do not apply pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals within 48 hours of an anticipated rainstorm.
• Only use chemicals as much as is directed on the label, till it to the soil, and keep it off driveways and sidewalks.
• Sweep up yard waste and debris and dump it into a trash can.
• Do not use a hose to wash off sidewalks, parking areas, and garages.
Vehicle Care and Maintenance
• Consider washing your car at a commercial car wash, where wash water is recycled and then directed to the sanitary sewer for treatment.
• When washing a car at home, limit the amount of soap/detergent used and, if possible, conduct the washing on a pervious surface where the water can soak in.
• Use a hose with a shut off nozzle to limit the amount of water used.
• Use rags, drip pans, or cardboard when repairing vehicles or under leaking vehicles.
• Fix any leaks from your vehicle and keep up the maintenance on your car.
• Use absorbent material such as cat litter on oil spills, then sweep it up and dispose of it in the trash.
• Recycle used motor oil at a local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
Pets
• Take a bag with you when walking pets and clean up after them.
• Flush pet waste down the toilet or dispose of it in a sealed plastic bag and throw it in the trash.
• Keep a pet on a leash for their safety.
Good Housekeeping
• Use non-toxic products for household cleaning.
• Use a broom, wire brush, or other dry methods to clean outdoor surface areas.
• Never hose or wash anything to the street or storm drain.
• Dump wash water to a vegetated/landscaped area or to an indoor drain.
Pools, Spas and Fountain Maintenance
• Only water that has had residual chlorine, algaecide, filter backwash, or other pollutants removed can be drained to the street and storm drain system.
• The discharge of saline swimming pools/spas must be directed to the sanitary sewer, landscaped areas, or other pervious surfaces that can accommodate the volume of water.
• Prior to any discharge, the path to the storm drain system should be cleared and flow rates should be non-erosive.
• Contact the Public Works Department (858-755-3294) prior to discharging pool or spa water to review the most appropriate method based on the location and conditions.