Public Works Department - Stormwater Management

Summer Stormwater Tip

When it's Summer, here's what you can do to help prevent stormwater runoff, a major pollutant to our rivers, lakes and the Chesapeake Bay.

Mow your lawn no shorter than 2 inches; root growth equals the height of the grass, so mowing too close shortens the roots. Leave grass clippings on the lawn because they are rich in nitrogen and hold moisture. Don't fertilize until Fall, and then only if needed.

Wash your car only when necessary, on grass rather than the driveway. The soil will serve as a natural filter.

If you have a lake with ducks in your neighborhood, it's best not to feed them. And pets should not be walked around a lake. The lakes are vital to stormwater management, and pet and duck waste, like fertilizers, pollute the water, causing algae blooms that rob the lake of oxygen and kill fish and other aquatic life.

REMEMBER...ONLY RAIN DOWN OUR STORM DRAINS