 1410 Energy Park Dr.
Suite 4
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-644-8888
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CRWD Home > Residents
Residents
Clean water starts at home
Streets connect to storm sewers that in turn connect to lakes, rivers and wetlands, so what goes in the street goes into the water.
Hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and roofs on residential property can be the source of such stormwater pollutants as nutrients (phosphorus), sediment (eroding soil and exposed soil from construction sites), toxics (lawn and pest chemicals), and bacteria (pet and wildlife waste and illegal sanitary sewer connections). Stormwater can also contribute to flooding when downspouts receiving roof runoff are directed onto paved areas that lead to the street.
Below are simple things you can do to reduce flooding and keep the runoff from your property running clean:
 Build a rain garden to collect and recharge rainwater into the ground;
Install a rain barrel to collect rooftop runoff and reuse the water for watering your lawn or garden;
Direct downspouts to grassy areas instead of onto paved surfaces;
Become a CRWD volunteer;
Keep roadways and walkways swept and clear of soil, grass, and leaves;
Regularly pick up the trash in your neighborhood;
Recycle oil, antifreeze, batteries, fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals as much as possible - never pour them onto a hard surface or into a storm drain;
Limit the use of your car and maintain it for leaks;
When cleaning your car, use a commercial car wash since the runoff goes to a wastewater treatment plant instead of running off into storm drains and into your lake or river;
Clean up after pets and dispose of droppings in the trash or toilet; and
NEVER put anything in a storm drain, it's headed directly to your lake and river!
Click here for a list of Fall Clean Water Tips.
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