This spring, remember some simple things you can do to keep surface waters clean:
- Dispose of yard waste properly; don’t rake it into the street where it runs into surface waters, causing harmful algal blooms. Find yard waste drop-off sites at DakotaCounty.us, search: Yard Waste.
- Don’t dump yard waste in or near surface waters. Yard waste piles should not be placed within 100 feet of any surface water. Instead contain yard waste in a compost bin or other enclosed container.
- Sweep extra salt from your driveway or sidewalk for re-use next year. One tablespoon of road salt can permanently pollute 5 gallons of water!
- Clean up after pets. E-coli from pet waste left on the ground runs into streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands.
- Think of ways to irrigate less this summer; runoff from irrigation sends pollutants down the storm drain and into surface waters. Consider a drought-tolerant, sustainable landscape, visit Extension.UMN.edu, search: Water Wisely.