As a resident, business or other member of the New Jersey community, it is important to know these easy things you can do every day to protect our water.
Limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides
=Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer
=Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is predicted
=Look into alternatives for pesticides
=Maintain a small lawn and keep the rest of your property in a natural state with trees and other native vegetation that require no fertilizer
=If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label on how to correctly apply it.
Properly use and dispose of hazardous products
=Hazardous products include some household or commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze and paints
=Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm drain because storm drains are usually connected to local water bodies and the water is not treated
=If you have hazardous products in your home or workplace, make sure you store or dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance
=Use natural or less toxic alternatives when possible
=Recycle used motor oil
=Contact your municipality, county or facility management office for the locations of hazardous-waste disposal facilities
Keep pollution out of storm drains
=Municipalities and many other agencies are required to mark certain storm drain inlets with messages reminding people that storm drains are connected to local water bodies
=Make sure you know your town's or agency's requirements and comply with them. It's the law
=Use newspaper, bags or pooper-scoopers to pick up pet waste
=Dispose of the wrapped pet waste in the trash
=Never discard pet waste in a storm drain
Don't feed wildlife
=Do not feed wildlife, such as ducks and geese, in public areas
=Many municipalities and other public agencies must enact and enforce a rule that prohibits wildlife feeding in these areas
Don't litter
=Place litter in trash receptacles
=Recycle, recycle, recycle
=Participate in community clean ups
Dispose of yard waste properly
=Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains
=If your municipality or agency has yard waste collection rules, follow them
=Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for compost
=Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings into the lawn