They are many things residents can do to help reduce the amount of pollutants in stormwater, which directly drains to our bayou and connecting tributaries. It's absolutely vital that the public participates in a few easy steps to help keep Dickinson Bayou and Galveston Bay free of stormwater pollution. 

Below are a few easy ideas of what every resident and business owner can do to improve the water quality of Dickinson Bayou and Galveston Bay.

Litter

• Properly dispose of litter in a trash can. It is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to prevent water pollution.
• Pick up litter in your yard, street, office, and neighborhood and put it in a trash can.
• Recycle any recyclable item.

Household Hazardous Waste

• Take household hazardous waste to a household hazardous waste collection center.
• Store household hazardous waste in closed, labeled containers inside or under a cover.

Lawn Care

• Limit the amount of pesticides and fertilizer used. Follow directions and do not use if rain is predicted within 48 hours.
• Monitor your sprinklers to prevent overwatering.
• Never allow excess water from your yard to flow into the street, gutter, or storm drain.

Leaves & Trimmings

• Sweep all clippings with a broom and dispose of them on Green Waste collection days in biodegradable bags.
• Never use your hose to wash away leaves and trimmings.

Pets

• Pick up after your pet and take a bag with you on your walks to pick up pet waste.
• Dispose of the waste in a trash can or flush waste down the toilet.
• Bath pets indoors or have them professionally groomed.

Automotive Leaks

• Use a mat or metal pan under the vehicle to collect oil.
• If a leak or spill occurs, use cat litter to soak up the liquid and then sweep up the litter and dispose of it in a trash can.
• Never wash away car fluids such as oil with a hose.

Motor Oil   

• Take all used oil to a certified used oil collection center or household hazardous waste collection center for recycling.

• Never dump automotive fluids down the storm drain.

  Car Washing

• If possible, take your car to a commercial car wash.
• Consider using non-toxic, biodegradable soap when washing your car at home.
• Divert wash water to a landscaped area.
• Never let soap suds enter the storm drain.
• Shake floor mats into a trash can or vacuum to clean.

Pools & Spas 

• Dispose of used pool water in the sanitary sewer or dechlorinate the water before draining.
• Dechlorinate water by purchasing chemicals at a pool supply store or simply refrain from using chlorine in a pool for a few days prior to draining the water.
• Never pour chlorinated water down the storm drain.