Stopping Pollution at the Source

Waste, Litter & Pollution Prevention

Cut pollution before it reaches ditches, soils, or the lake. This page focuses on practical prevention—at home, on the road, and during projects.

Big Idea (Source → Pathway → Lake)

  • Eliminate the source where possible (don't create the pollutant)
  • Interrupt the pathway (capture, contain, infiltrate)
  • Harden the last line (buffers, coir, clean-up plans) for the rare miss

Household & Yard (Everyday Habits)

  • Leaf & yard waste: Keep off streets/driveways; mulch-mow or compost; sweep gutters and storm grates clear
  • Fertilizer: Skip unless a soil test says you need it; if used, choose low/no-phosphorus; follow label; keep 10 ft off shorelines and paved edges
  • Pesticides: Start with hand-pulling and spot treatments; avoid spraying when flowers are open or rain is forecast
  • Pet waste: Bag and bin it—on walks, beaches, and yards
  • Irrigation: Water deeply but infrequently; don't create runoff; fix leaks

Driveways, Vehicles & Boats

  • Car care: Fix oil/coolant leaks; wash on lawn/gravel so water infiltrates; avoid driveway soaps that carry surfactants to drains
  • De-icing: Shovel first; apply minimum salt; sweep up excess and sand in spring
  • Fueling: Use absorbent pads; never rinse spills; store fuel/chemicals in secondary containment
  • At the launch: Clean, Drain, Dry gear and hulls; dump livewell/bait water away from the ramp

Buildings & Materials

  • Paints/solvents: Buy only what you'll use; keep lids tight; take leftovers to collection days—never pour to ground or drains
  • Construction dust/debris: Cover loads; sweep, don't hose; keep sawdust off pavement
  • Pressure-washing: Capture paint chips; block drains; dispose of residues properly

Landscaping & Soil

  • Bare soil is the enemy: Cover immediately with mulch, seed, or erosion blankets
  • Edges: Keep 2–3 in mulch in beds; don't spill onto sidewalks/pavement
  • Buffers: Maintain a 10–35+ ft native strip along shorelines and ditches
  • Runoff routing: Aim downspouts to lawn, swales, or rain gardens—not to driveways or the shore

Septic, Wells & Water Systems

  • Pump septic every 3–5 years (or per use); fix surfacing effluent immediately; route roof/sump water away from the field
  • Abandon unused wells with a licensed pro; keep well caps sanitary and intact
  • Softener discharge: Don't send to septic if avoidable; route to landscape where allowed

Streets, Ditches & On-Site Drainage

  • Keep pavement clean: Sweep leaves, grit, and spills; never blow debris into streets
  • Vegetated ditches: Prefer shallow, planted swales with check dams over bare, straight channels
  • Culverts: Keep inlets/outlets clear; report blockages

Projects & Contractors (Set Expectations Up Front)

  • Contract clause: Require daily stabilization, perimeter controls, and spill kits on site
  • Staging: Store soil and materials away from water; cover piles; wheel-wash or stone pads at site exits
  • Rain plan: Pause earthwork in storms; inspect after; fix washouts the same day

Spill Response (Small, On-Site)

  1. Stop the source (close valve/upright container)
  2. Contain with absorbent pads/kitty litter; protect drains with socks/berms
  3. Collect & bin used absorbents; do not hose down
  4. Report significant spills to the proper authority

Priority List (Start Here for Biggest Gains)

  1. Leaves and soil off pavement and out of ditches
  2. Downspouts to lawn/rain gardens; add stable overflows
  3. No-fertilizer default; soil test if you think you need it
  4. Septic maintenance and fix surfacing issues fast
  5. Salt sense: shovel first; apply less; sweep excess

Quick Checklists

Weekly (seasonal)
  • ☐ Pavement swept; grates clear
  • ☐ Pet waste picked up
  • ☐ Downspouts flowing to vegetation
Monthly (growing season)
  • ☐ Bare soil mulched/seeded
  • ☐ Buffer intact and thickening
  • ☐ Car/boat leak check
Project day
  • ☐ Silt fence/wattles installed
  • ☐ Stockpiles covered & set back
  • ☐ Spill kit staged; rain plan briefed

Myths—And Better Takes

  • "Storm drains go to treatment"

    Better take: Many drain straight to ditches and the lake—treat them like direct pipes

  • "More soap = cleaner car"

    Better take: Extra detergent just runs off; elbow grease and a bucket on the lawn work better

  • "Fertilizer helps the lake edge green up"

    Better take: It feeds algae; switch to natives and better soil health

Bottom Line

Pollution prevention is a set of small, repeatable habits. Keep debris and chemicals off pavement, route water into vegetation, stabilize soil daily, and maintain septic and wells. When you remove the source, the lake stays clear.

Related Topics

Key Takeaways

  • Keep leaves and soil off pavement
  • Route downspouts to vegetation
  • Skip fertilizer unless soil test shows need
  • Pump septic every 3-5 years
  • Shovel before salting; use minimum
  • Bag and bin pet waste everywhere

Top 5 Actions

  1. Leaves off pavement
  2. Downspouts to lawn/gardens
  3. No-fertilizer default
  4. Septic maintenance
  5. Minimal salt use

Buffer Reminder

Maintain native buffers:

  • 10 ft minimum from shorelines
  • 25 ft good for most properties
  • 35+ ft excellent for maximum protection

Spill Kit Basics

Keep on hand:

  • Absorbent pads/rolls
  • Kitty litter or absorbent granules
  • Drain socks/berms
  • Heavy-duty bags
  • Emergency contact numbers

Need More Guidance?

Contact your local conservation district or extension office for site-specific pollution prevention advice and resources.

Find Resources