Think Blue Maine — Clean Water Starts with you!

Homeowner Stormwater Information

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It's amazing how much we influence stormwater and never even realize it. The Maine DEP estimates that between 40 — 70% of rain and snow melt that falls on the average Maine residential lot runs off! That means that up to 70% of the rain is leaving your property as well as everyone else's property as stormwater, and its hurting our lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries. Everyone has a role to play in helping to protect clean water. Here are some easy ways for you to help minimize your contribution to the stormwater problem.

Make YOUR Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution

Reduce the Amount of Water that Leaves Your Property

The best way to prevent stormwater pollution is to minimize the amount of runoff. If less rain leaves your property, there is that much less water that can become polluted along the way. This is a preventative measure to stormwater pollution that has benefits to you. For example, it reduces maintenance cost for roads, driveways, and ditches, as well as reduces utility bills if the rainwater is harnessed as a means of watering lawns and gardens.

• Direct water off your driveway onto vegetated areas.
• Establish a rain garden.
• Direct roof downspouts into vegetated areas or into a rain barrel for reuse later.
• Reduce the amount of lawn by planting trees and shrubs which are more effective in soaking up the rainwater before it leaves your property as runoff.

For information on rain gardens, buffers, native Maine plants, and more check out Resources to Create a Healthy Maine Landscape.

Only let Rain down the Storm Drain

Keep the storm drains clean. Never dump anything down or place anything in or near a storm drain. They flow directly to our lakes and streams.

Reduce Soil Erosion — Maine's #1 Water Pollutant

Soil erosion is a natural process where soil is moved by water or wind. Soil erosion is not a problem IF soil is removed at the same rate that soil is formed; however this typically is not the case. Soil erosion often occurs at a rate much greater than soil formation. In the United States, soil is eroding roughly 17 times the rate at which it is formed! Eroded soil harms aquatic life because it acts like sandpaper to fish gills and makes it hard for them to breath, and destroys their spawning habitats by filling them in. Soil erosion can affect swimming by filling in deep holes with loose sediment, or affect boating by increasing the chances of running aground or hitting underwater hazards. According to the Maine DEP, soil erosion also reduces water quality, lowers shorefront property values, increases property taxes, and causes a loss of business and jobs. The best way to reduce soil erosion is to reduce the amount of bare soil.

• Plant shrubs and trees to create a buffer between your property and any waterway (ditch, driveway, road) to filter out pollutants.
• Seed and mulch any bare soil on your land.
• Repair and stabilize places where you see soil eroding.
• Minimize the time soil is exposed when you do construction or landscaping.

For more information visit

Take Care with Your Car Care

Dripping gas and oil onto driveways, roads, and parking lots is a huge problem for streams in urban and suburban areas. Handling gas, oil, and grease and washing your car at home can flush detergents and other contaminants into the storm drain system and directly into our waters.

If you let your washwater go down a storm drain,
it will travel untreated to a river or stream.

• Keep your automobiles well-tuned so that they are not dripping fluids or emitting unnecessary fumes. Place a drip pan under your vehicle's engine.
• Service your car carefully.
• Dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off and recycling locations. Many retail auto stores offer used auto fluids and battery collection as a service to their customers; contact your local retailer to find out if they do. A partial list of businesses that collect waste oil is contained within the Maine Oil Recycling Program (MORP) Directory.
• Avoid spilling gas on the ground or in the water.
• If you do change your oil at home, use a drop cloth and immediately clean up any that spills on the ground.
• Use a funnel to fill up fluids (in cars, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc).
• Avoid topping off your fuel tank to reduce the chance of spillage.
• Store and label of gasoline properly.
• Wash your vehicles so the runoff goes to your lawn or at a car wash facility instead of in your driveway.

Be Careful with Your Lawn & Garden Work

Excess fertilizer and pesticides run off lawns when they are over watered or applied before a rain storm. These products can be harmful to your family, especially children and pets. Some lawn chemicals can be applied before a rain, but the directions on the product should be read carefully. Mulch and other yard waste also washes off lawns and into storm drains. You can have a great looking lawn that is very healthy for your family and pets by following some of these tips.

• Do not over-use or over-dose lawn chemicals. Try using natural alternative first, the only spot treat with pesticides and herbicides (weed killers). Call your local Extension Service or Maine DEP to find out more about natural pesticides.
• Be careful not to get pesticides or fertilizer on the driveway or sidewalk because it will easily be washed down a storm drain the next time it rains.
• Try not to use chemicals on your lawn before it is predicted to rain, and use organic or slow-release products, which are better for your lawn and for the environment.
• Lawns need less than an inch of water per week. Try using a rain gauge, so if it has rained an inch, you do not need to water your lawn.
• Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
• Compost yard waste. Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
• Keep your gas powered lawn mowers or blowers well tuned so that they are not dripping fluids or emitting unnecessary fumes.
• Don't use gas to burn brush.
• Learn how to YardScape!

Check out the Fact Sheet #5 for more information on Safe Lawn & Garden Care.

Put litter in its place — the garbage

Debris washed into our water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life such as ducks, fish, turtles and birds. Some of the most common litter includes plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, gum, and cigarette butts.

• Properly dispose of paper, plastics and other waste by recycling them or throwing them away.
• Make sure these items don't accidentally blow off your property or from your car.
• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots, especially around storm drains.

Proper Chemical Storage and Disposal Techniques

You may be surprised to learn that you likely have numerous hazardous materials in your home. Did you know that chlorine bleach is considered hazardous? The Average American generates 15 pounds of household hazardous waste per year! If stored, used or disposed of improperly, household hazardous waste may be contributing to contamination of your local drinking water or your watershed. Some examples of hazardous wastes that may be in your home include cleaning products for drains, ovens, and jewelry; oil-based paints, varnishes, stains, and dyes; paint thinners, solvents and strippers; stain and spot removers; detergents and bleach; and photographic chemicals. Learn more about household hazardous waste and their alternatives in your home.

• Call your municipality to find out about proper disposal techniques and locations. Visit the Maine DEP website for general disposal information.
• Bring unused hazardous chemicals to your local, annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.
• Dispose of chemicals as specified on the product's labeling.
• Do not dispose of any chemicals by pouring them on the ground or down the drain or toilet.
• Store chemicals in rugged, sealable, spill-resistant containers.
• Clearly label all containers with contents, especially if not in the original container.
• Read and carefully follow the chemical's directions on the packaging.
• Don't over-use or over-dose household chemicals.
• Make sure your air conditioners are in good working order and not leaking harmful chemicals.
• Remember that the true cost of the chemical you use includes the time and money needed to properly dispose of it.
• Reduce the amount of hazardous waste by buying only what you need, and share any 'left-over' with your neighbors.

To find out where to drop off your household chemicals, visit the Maine State Planning Office.

Clean Up Pet and Other Domestic Animal Waste

Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into storm drains and eventually into local water bodies. Farms and other areas that have large numbers of livestock or other animals can contribute to stormwater pollution as well.

• Pick pet waste up in a bag and dispose of it properly in the trash if allowed locally.
• Flush it down the toilet (flush only the pet waste - empty it out of the plastic bag first).
• Bury it in the yard away from the garden, drinking water sources, and well-traveled areas.

Check out this Doggie Brochure created for the City of Lewiston. Find out if there is a similar Ordinance in your City/Town.

Maintain Healthy Septic Systems and Proper Fuel Storage Systems

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release bacteria and viruses that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby water bodies. This can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.

• Inspect your septic system every year.
• Pump your tank as often as necessary (every 3-5 years).
• The average life expectancy for a septic system is 20 years. Consider replacing your system if it is approaching or over 20 years old.
• Fix leaks and potential problems in a timely manner.
• Avoid practices that might damage your septic tank and leach field, such as driving over it with a car or planting bushes and trees over top of it.
• Do not use drain cleaners or other toxic chemical products.
• Do not use additives of any kind to your septic system.
• Do not put cooking oil or grease down the drain.
• Do not overload your septic system with solids by using a garbage grinder unless the system was specifically designed for one.
• Do not use abandoned wells or holes for waste disposal.
• Do not neglect your fuel storage tank. Is your oil tank in shape? Find out.

Report Spills

Reporting spills of chemicals and other pollutants immediately decreases the likelihood it will have the opportunity to enter the groundwater, a water body, or a storm drain system.

• Report any non-hazardous or non-oil type pollution problem to your local government offices.
• Report hazardous material or oil spills to the Maine DEP.

To Report Oil Spills call (24 hours) 800-482-0777

To Report Hazardous Material Spills
call (24 hours) 800-452-4664

The sooner you call, the sooner DEP can respond to protect your health, property, and our environment.

For more information about sources and cleanup, check out the US Environmental Protection Website.

• US Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov
• Maine DEP: www.state.me.us/dep
  www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/doceducation/nps/materials.htm
• Do it yourself.com: doityourself.com/auto/newlook.htm