How to Reduce Pollution

Here are several tips to help you reduce pollution:

Automotive

  • Maintain your car to prevent fluid leaks.
  • Recycle motor oil, antifreeze, etc at an automotive center.
  • Dispose of oil in a curbside motor oil pickup program.
  • Never hose down spills into the gutter.
  • Use kitty litter to clean up leaks and spills.

Household

  • Avoid purchasing oil-based paint.
  • Save and reuse paint thinner and brush cleaners whenever possible.
  • Rinse water-based paint brushes in the sink.
  • Oil and water-based paint cans can be put in the garbage once they are empty and dry.
  • Dispose of unused oil-based paints, thinners, and solvents at a hazardous waste collection event.
  • Pool Water Brochure

Lawns and landscapes

  • Purchase household and garden products that are "least toxic" to the environment.
  • Apply all household and garden products sparingly.
  • Always use products in accordance with the instructions on the label.
  • Do not apply lawn or garden products when rain is forecasted.
  • Dispose of pesticides or fertilizers at a local household hazardous waste collection event.

Animals

  • Shovel up animal wastes, seal in bags, and throw away in a garbage can.
  • Animal wastes may also be flushed down the toilet.

Trash disposal

  • Sweep patios rather than hose debris into gutters.
  • Place garden refuse at curbside on collection day, without blocking the gutter.

Types of pollution

Even the most careful, conscientious person can create pollution.

We do it when we drive our cars, clean our homes and other day-to-day activities.

As responsible members of our community, we must do everything we can to protect our environment for future generations.

In the course of providing their services, businesses generate wastewater.

When it is disposed of improperly into the storm drainage system, those pollutants flow untreated into our waterways.

Clean Water Business Partners have made a commitment to properly dispose of their wastewater.

They help to ensure that future generations can use and enjoy our most valuable natural resource... water.

Let's see what our Clean Water Business Partners are helping to keep out of our waterways:

PollutantSourcesAdverse effect
AmmoniaCleaning Products, Pets, HumansToxic to fish, stimulates algae and plant growth which upsets our ecosystem and impacts animal life.
CadmiumPaint, Dirt, Dust, DyesDamages fish gills and reduces growth and reproduction of aquatic life.
CopperDirt, Dust, Dyes, Pesticides, Organic Material, Plumbing, Metal FurnitureAdverse effects on fish and water bugs – an important component of the food chain for fish.
Dissolved SolidsDetergents, Cleaning Products, Carpet Fresheners, Dirt, Dust, Interior AerosolsAdverse effects on plant life and aquatic life.
LeadDirt, Dust, Dyes, Paint, Atmospheric deposits near roads and airports.Toxic to fish by interfering with breathing, plant growth interference, affects reproduction of water bugs.
MercuryBatteries, Switches, Thermostats, Thermometers, Disinfectants, Fluorescent TubesVisit the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership Mercury Page for more information.
Suspended SolidsDirt, Dust, Carpet Decomposition, Carpet Fresheners, Interior Aerosols, SandClogs spawning areas for fish, covers water channel flow resulting in food being buried, clouded water can affect the ability of fish to feed.
ZincDirt, Dust, DyesDamage to gills and destruction of liver tissue in fish, growth reduction and tissue damage to plants.

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