By adopting some simple changes in household activities, residents can conserve water, save money and protect the quality of water in our lakes, rivers and streams. For example:

Landscaping

• Use native plants or Xeriscaping, which require minimal water and fewer yard chemicals. Less chemical usage coupled with less water means less polluted runoff.
• Use borders of drought-resistant plants, keeping water and fertilizer away from sidewalks and driveways.
  

Yard Maintenance

• Use only enough fertilizer to maintain lawn health. Excess fertilizer requires additional watering, which can lead to polluted runoff.
• Aerate your yard at least once a year. It allows water and fertilizer to reach your lawn's roots rather than run off into a storm drain.
• Sweep lawn clippings, leaves and yard products back onto the grass rather than hosing them into the gutter. This saves water and prevents polluted runoff.
• Compost lawn clippings or leave them on the grass as a natural fertilizer.
  

Car Washing

• Consider washing your car less frequently.
• Use a bucket to wash your car; use a hose only for rinsing.
• Wash your car over a grass or gravel surface so the runoff doesn't flow directly into the storm drain.
• Consider using a commercial car wash, which often requires less water. Water used by commercial washes is treated and recycled, while water that runs down the gutter flows to area rivers, lakes or streams.
  

We should practice being water-wise all the time, not only during droughts.