Stormwater Pollution Solutions
Just a few of several dozen options
Household 'Haz Waste'- Before buying products with chemicals for home use, see if there is a hazard warning. If so, look up online or ask in the store if there is a less harmful alternative. Often, natural options are less expensive. Some are reportedly less effective, but just as often, a gentler approach will suit your need, while chemicals can be overkill or introduce unwanted risks.
- If using chemicals, take care disposing of them. Unused, left-over, or expired products-- such as cleaning suppplies, insecticides & pesticides, paints, solvents, or used motor oil, should never be poured into sinks or toilets, onto the ground, or into storm drains.
- So, what should you do? Secure household products safely-- away from children and heat-- and schedule a time to bring them to a "Household Hazardous Waste Day." These are free events hosted by area towns. Find dates of coming events on the SCRRRA site:
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days
- Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly; avoid applying them before a rainstorm, and use organic, slow-release fertilizers.
- Choose native plants and grasses. They require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides -- and they help support critical pollinators.
- Compost or mulch yard waste. Don’t leave it in or near the street or sweep it into storm drains. You can use a composting mower or hand scatter grass clippings. And note, leaves may be brought loose or in brown paper bags to the Transfer Station-- but may also be mulched and left on your lawn.
- Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater or wash your car on a grass or gravel area so the water infiltrates into the ground.
- Check your car often for drips and oil leaks and fix them promptly. Don’t hose leaks into the storm drain, use kitty litter or sand to absorb and dispose of properly. Use drip pans if necessary.
- Dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations including the Flanders Road Transfer Station.
- Scoop up pet waste and dispose of properly, even in wooded areas. Flushing pet waste is the best method because our sanitary sewer system (i.e. Water Pollution Control Authority) treats the waste as part of its wastewater treatment. Tossing baggies in your garbage pail, however, is also fine. Never dump pet waste into a storm drain.
- Dog waste stations are located at the following Groton parks: Poquonnock Plains Park, Farquhar Park, Esker Point Waterfront Park, and the Copp Family Park (includes "Central Bark" Dog Park). An interactive park viewer offers more detail on these sites.
- Wild waterfowl can also be problematic. Canada Geese, in particular, have become unnaturally habituated to our region. Their waste can be a host for bacteria, including those responsible for swimmer’s itch; plus large numbers in small areas can cause elevated fecal coliform and nutrient levels. Swans, likewise, can disrupt water health. Well-intentioned people who feed waterfowl exacerbate the issue and harm birds in the process. Waterfowl rely on specific nutrients from foraged food; thus human feeding can result in malnutrition and deformed young. Not feeding waterfowl is a way to help prevent water pollution.
Be part of the solution
It’s up to all of us to keep our waters & Long Island Sound clean. Pollution can be reduced significantly with these small measures.