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"Easy Things You Can Do Every Day to Protect Our Water"

Storm drains are connected to local bodies of water. Do not let sewage or other wastes flow into a storm water system. Please keep falling leaves off storm drains in front of your residence.

A Guide to Healthy Habits for Cleaner Water

Pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the ocean and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil, pesticides, detergents, pet waste, and grass clippings: You name it and it ends up in our water.

Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey's greatest threats to clean and plentiful water, and that's why we're all doing something about it.

By sharing the responsibility and making small, easy changes in our daily lives, we can keep common pollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to cleaner water, and it saves the high cost of cleaning up once it's dirty.

As part of New Jersey's initiative to keep our water clean and plentiful and to meet Federal requirements, many municipalities and other public agencies including colleges and military bases must adopt ordinances or other rules prohibiting various activities that contribute to stormwater pollution. Breaking these rules can result in fines or other penalties.

As a resident, business, or other member of the New Jersey community, it is important to know these easy things you can do every day to protect our water.

  • Limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer.
  • Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is predicted.
  • Look into alternatives for pesticides.
  • Maintain a small lawn and keep the rest of your property or yard in a natural state with trees and other native vegetation that requires little or no fertilizer.
  • If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label on how to correctly apply them.

    • Properly use and dispose of hazardous products.

  • Hazardous products include some household or commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze, and paints.
  • Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm drain because storm drains are usually connected to local bodies of water and the water is not treated.
  • If you have hazardous products in your home or workplace, make sure you store or dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance.
  • Use natural or less toxic alternatives when possible.
  • Recycle used motor oil.

    • Each spring and fall Ocean County Recycling sponsors a Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Only Ocean County residents and farmers are eligible for this free program. Pre-registration and proof of residency are required. Call 506-5047 for details.

    Clean up after your pet.

    Clean and plentiful water is important to our families, our environment, our economy and our quality of life. Did you know that animal waste from pets can pollute our waters When left on the ground, pet waste is washed by rain and melting snow and ice into storm drains that carry it to our rivers, lakes, bays, the ocean and drinking water. Animal waste contains a high concentration of nutrients as well as bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms that can cause problems.

    Follow Toms River Township's pet waste rules.
  • Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste dropped on public or people's property.
  • Use newspaper, bags or pooper-scoopers to pick up wastes.
  • Dispose of the unwrapped pet waste in a toilet.
  • Never discard pet waste in a storm drain.
  • Never discard pet waste in a garbage can.

    • Don't litter.

  • Place litter in trash receptacles.
  • Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.
  • Participate in community cleanups.
    • Call 732-255-1000 ext. 8108 for information on how to organize cleanups.

    Dispose of yard waste properly.

  • Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains.
  • Follow Toms River Township's yard waste collection rules.
  • Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for compost.
  • Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings into the lawn.

    • For more information on stormwater related topics, visit www.njstormwater.org or www.nonpointsource.org.

    Additional information is also available at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web sites www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater or www.epa.gov/nps. You can also contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution, Control, Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program, 609-633-7021.