Regional Water Quality Control Plant

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Around Your Home

You can easily prevent stormwater and wastewater pollution by taking some simple steps around your home.

  • Be sure all trash and recyclables are in appropriate bins with lids and/or secured so light-weight items don’t get carried away by the wind. Trash and bottles and cans can clog storm drains, creating problems during storm season and, if washed down, can pollute creeks and the Bay.
  • Clean out the garage! Dispose of unused paints, solvents, and cleaners at your local household hazardous waste collection facility – never down any indoor or outdoor drain.
  • Never dump unwanted paint or other chemicals down any indoor or outdoor drain.
  • Use less toxic gardening techniques for a beautiful, healthy yard. Visit OurWaterOurWorld.org for more information.
  • Never spray pesticides when rain is forecast.
  • Avoid spraying the perimeter outside of your house in the fight against pests. Seek the services of a certified “less toxic” pest control professional.
  • Give yourself a break – use a commercial car wash to avoid runoff. When washing the car yourself, even bio-degradable car wash soap harms aquatic life before it completely breaks down. Try washing it on the lawn or over gravel and keep the runoff out of the storm drain.

Use Less-Toxic Pest Control

 

Look for this symbol for effective, less-toxic garden products

Our Water Our World Logo

OurWaterOurWorld.org

View our Safe Pest Control Video

Residential pesticide use by homeowners and pest control services is the main source of pesticide pollution in San Francisco Bay. Spray pesticides used for ant control are one of the largest contributors. These and other pesticides wash into storm drains and creeks during rain or when you water your garden.

  • Free Gardening Workshops!
  • Kid and pet-friendly pest control workshop! Learn safer ways to manage ants, snails, slugs and other pests and disease in your summer garden. Brought to you in partnership with Common Ground and the Our Water, Our World  program.No fee, but  pre-register to ensure a space. Call (650) 493-6072 or visit http://safeandeffectivepestcontrol.eventbrite.com.  
    When:  Saturday, June 2, 10:30 a.m.­–noon
    Location:  Common Ground, 559 College Avenue, Palo Alto, CA     
  • Visit OurWaterOurWorld.org to for the best information on how to control home and garden pests, get free advice from a pest control pro will within 24 hours, and  find local stores who carry the less-toxic pest control products you may  need.
  • Looking for a pest control service? Visit www.ecowisecertified.org or call 866-858-6386 for companies using less toxic products and techniques that really work and are safer for people and the planet.
  • Controlling ants! (video)

Make Your Garden Bay-Friendly

Bay-Friendly Logo

Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening is a holistic approach to gardening and landscaping that works in harmony with the natural conditions of the San Francisco Bay Watershed. Bay-Friendly practices foster soil health, conserve water and other valuable resources while reducing waste and preventing pollution.

Great reference for your garden:

© 2012 Regional Water Quality Control Plant
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