1.  Sweep up grass clippings and fertilizer from driveways, sidewalks and streets, and rake, mulch or compost yard waste.  Don't forget to sweep along the curb.  Remove leaves from your gutters, ditches and driveways, sidewalks and streets.

2.  Fall is the best season to fertilize your lawn and control common weeds.  Weed and feed responsibly.  Use fertilizers and pesticides only as needed and always read and follow product instructions carefully.  Be phosphorus conscious!

3.  Consider using alternative lawn-care techniques in addition to, or even instead of, pesticides. Try these:  pulling weeds by hand (counts as a workout), or spot-treating weedy areas instead of your entire yard.

4.  Resist the urge to let Fido fend for himself when the weather turns colder, and keep on scooping poop.  Pet waste contains phosphorus, nitrogen and harmful bacteria.

5.  During routine fall tune-ups, check your car and lawn equipment for leaks.  A good rainstorm can send gasoline and oil drips from automobiles, lawnmowers and power equipment into waterways.

Clean Streets for Clean Water!

In urban areas, stormwater carries phosphorus and other pollutants directly into Pennsylvania's water resources through the storm drainage system.  Unlike our houshold wastewater, stormwater doesn't go through a treatment plant first, but is dumped directly into lakes, rivers and wetlands. Common pollutants that can wash off our yards and streets include:

Phosphorus:  From tree leaves, grass clippings, soil erosion, fertlilizer, pet and wildlife waste

Eroding soil:  From exposed soil on construction sites, sparse lawns, and unprotected garden beds set close to hard surfaces like streets, sidewalks and driveways

Bacteria:  From pet and wildlife waste, failing septic systems

Toxins:  Oil, paint, cleaners, etc. spilled on streets, sidewalks, and driveways or dumped down storm drains