Stormwater and Water Quality

Pesticides and Fertilizers

• Reduce the use of chemicals in your yard. Learn about natural yard care with this grow smart guide
• Learn about safe pest management
• Learn about safe lawn care
• What to consider if you use yard chemicals and weed and feed
• Ver un video aquí

Pet Waste

• Pick up after your pets and toss waste into the garbage
• Join Canines for Clean Water and receive a free bandana
•  Scoop the Poop!

Car Washing

• Use phosphate-free and biodegradable cleansers or just water
• Use rolled-up towels to divert wash water into a grassy or gravel area to allow the ground to filter pollutants
• Read our fact sheet for more tips on stormwater-friendly car washing
• To borrow a Fish-Friendly Carwash Kit for your carwash fundraiser, call 541-682-4929

Pressure Washing

• Start with dry absorbents, sweeping and vacuuming
• Filter runoff, divert it into landscaped areas, or pump it into the sanitary sewer to keep debris and chemicals out of storm drains
• Check out our factsheet for more information about stormwater-safe pressure washing
• Enjoy our video about pressure washing

Rain Gardens

New to these natural water-treatment facilities? Learn how rain gardens work by reading our fact sheet or the article from our 2017 newsletter.

Have one at home or on your street? Visit our rain garden resources page for information about the structure, plants and maintenance of these features. There is also an annual reporting form if your home has one of these private systems for stormwater. 

Amazon Creek Habitat

Did you know that Amazon Creek is both a stormwater channel and a riparian habitat? If you live along the Amazon, learn more about how this creek's vegetation improves stormwater quality.