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This page provides homeowners with simple, cost-effective home improvement projects and practices to improve water quality by reducing storm water runoff and pollutant concentrations.

Decrease Impervious Surfaces

Permeable Concrete
Permeable driveway or parking areas allow for the infiltration of rainwater into the underlying soil.

Turf Driveways
Minimize potentially large impermeable areas.

Crushed Stone or Gravel

Green Roofs

Green roofs create a lightweight, permeable vegetative surface on an impervious roof area. Moss, grass, herbs, wildflowers, and native plants can be used, creating an aesthetically pleasing roof landscape.

The systems start with a high strength rubber membrane placed over the base roof structure. Various layers above the rubber may contain insulation, filter and drainage media, separation fabrics, lightweight growth media, vegetation, and wind erosion fabric.

Reduce Runoff

Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels are low cost, effective and easily maintainable retention devices that capture rooftop rooftop runoff. The water can be used later for dry-period lawn and garden irrigation.

• Soil and Landscape Improvements mulch, organic matter, cover bare soil with plants, native landscaping,
• Rain Gardens create functional landscapes by infiltrating rainwater and processing pollutants. Typically consist of grass buffers, sand beds, a ponding area for excess runoff storage, organic layers, planting soil and vegetation. Their purpose is to provide a storage area, away from the house, where storm water collects and filters into the soil. Permanent ponds can be incorporated into the cell design as landscaping features. Rain gardens are typically landscaped with native plants and grasses, selected according to their moisture requirements and ability to tolerate pollutants. Annual maintenance of rain gardens must be planned in order to replace mulching materials, remove accumulated silt, or revitalize soils as required.
• Natural Resource Preservation and Xeriscaping™ can be used to minimize the need for irrigation systems and enhance property values. Riparian, or stream bank, areas are particularly crucial to water quality, and in most areas, subject to Federal or State regulations. Preserve existing wooded areas, mature trees, and natural terrain. Xeriscaping refers to landscaping with plants native to area climate and soil conditions. These plants thrive naturally, requiring less maintenance and irrigation than most hybrid or imported varieties.

Prevent Pollution

• Reduce or eliminate the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Use biological or physical controls when possible.
• Don't overwater. Irrigation scheduling & technology
• Sweep up yard waste and either compost or dispose of in green waste bin. Don't hose down driveway or sidewalks.