Overwatering lawns can also send materials into the storm drains. Unlike water in sanitary sewers (from sinks and toilets), water in storm drains is not treated before entering our waterways.

You would never pour gardening products into the ocean, so don’t let them enter the storm drains. Follow these easy tips to help prevent water pollution.

• Do not over water. Use irrigation practices such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro spray systems. Periodically inspect and fix leaks and misdirected sprinklers.
• Do not rake or blow leaves, clippings or pruning waste into the street, gutter or storm drains. Instead dispose of waste by composting, hauling it to a permitted landfill, or as green waste through your city’s recycling program.
• Use slow-release fertilizers to minimize leaching and use organic fertilizers.
• Read labels and use only as directed. Do not over-apply pesticides or fertilizers. Apply to spots as needed, rather than blanketing an entire area.
• Store pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a dry covered area to prevent exposure that may result in the deterioration of containers and packaging.
• Rinse empty pesticide containers and re-use rinse water as you would use the product. Do not dump rinse water down storm drains. Dispose of empty containers in the trash.
• When available, use non-toxic alternatives to traditional pesticides and use pesticides specifically designed to control the pest you are targeting. For more information, check www.ipm.ucdavis.edu .
• If fertilizer is spilled, sweep up the spill before applying irrigation water. If the spill is liquid, apply an absorbent material like cat litter and then sweep and dispose in the trash.
• Take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center to be recycled.

To Report Illegal Dumping into the County's Storm Drain System, Call:
1(888)CLEAN LA, 24 Hours per Day

The tips contained in this brochure provide useful information to help prevent water pollution. If you have other suggestions, please contact your city’s stormwater representatives or call the Los Angeles County Stormwater Program.