CMWEA'S 2012 Top Ten
Water Protection Tips

Thanks for checking out our Top Ten Water Protection Tips — simple things we all can do to help protect our shared water resources. From drinking water quality and wildlife health, to preserving recreation opportunities and the environment overall, making these tips part of our everyday habits will add up to healthier water for everyone.

1. Be Water Pollution Free, Contact the SWCD
Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) as they can help you be water pollution free. SWCD's are a great starting point when looking for information about soil and water conservation ideas.
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2. Disconnect Your Gutters-use a Rain Barrel
Installing a rain barrel not only reduces your water bill, it also helps the environment! Downspout disconnection can be a very easy and inexpensive way to reduce the amount of runoff going into our storm drain system.
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3. Healthy Lawn Clean Waters – Turf Management
Proper lawn maintenance is vitally important to the lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater of Minnesota. Healthy lawns require fewer chemical applications, hold soil in place, and withstand drought better than unhealthy lawns.
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4. Pharmaceuticals Need a Safe Deposit
Unused pharmaceuticals should never be flushed down a toilet or a drain. Pharmaceuticals have been found increasingly often in lakes and rivers, potentially harming aquatic wildlife and entering our drinking water. Pharmaceutical drop boxes are located throughout Stearns County for the deposit of unwanted pharmaceuticals.
For hours, location and other information on the Stearns County boxes, go to Stearns dispoal information.
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5. Plant a Tree
Planting a tree is one of the simplest things you can do to help reduce water pollution in your neighborhood. Trees reduce water pollution by capturing and filtering excess rainwater before it can get to our lakes, streams and wetlands.
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6. Recycle Your Used Motor Oil
Used motor oil that is poured down a storm drain flows directly to streams, lakes and rivers. The oil can contain toxic heavy metals such as zinc, lead, and cadmium, all harmful to wildlife and drinking water. When you recycle used oil, you are protecting the environment and conserving a valuable resource. For locations accepting used motor oil, go to Earth 911.
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7. Save Cash by Stopping Leaks
That leaky faucet may not seem like a big deal, but that small drop may add up to over 20 gallons of water wasted a day. There are a number of ways to save water and they all start with you.
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8. What is a stormwater pond?
Stormwater ponds help to safeguard water quality by allowing contaminants to settle out in the pond while offering flood protection. You can help keep stormwater ponds functioning properly by keeping all yard waste, trash and debris out of the storm drain system, and by avoiding mowing within ten feet of the pond's edge.
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9. What's in Your Storm Drain?
Leaves, garbage, and grass clippings not only could plug the drain but will also add pollution to the lakes and rivers. Water from storm drains is not treated. Clean the storm drain grate to prevent flooding and to improve water quality.
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10. When Earth and Water Don't Mix
If the bottom of a lake or river is made of earth (sand, silt, and clay), what harm does it do if more earth is added? In many cases, it causes a lot of harm.
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