Improving water quality is an important step towards building and maintaining sustainable natural ecosystems. We can all help reach water quality improvement goals by making small changes in our behavior. Small changes multiplied by many people make a big difference!
What is urban runoff? Urban runoff is the water that washes away all the chemicals we use, which then flows into storm drains and creeks and then out to the ocean. These chemicals include: home pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning products, oil and many other products. Urban runoff is a significant contributor to poor water quality.
This rainy season is a good time to think about our contributions to urban runoff and to make some small changes. Here are some good places to start:
- look into ways to reduce home pesticide use
- learn about composting to improve soil quality and possibly reduce the need for fertilizers
- find safer alternatives for cleaning products.
- keep mechanical equipment in good repair.
Our office has great resources to help further improve water quality.
A collection of "green sheets" designed to help people make small changes to improve water quality
Management Practices to Portect Water Quality: A Manual for Greenhouses and Nurseries
Orchard Water Quality Management
Please contact our office if you would like further information.
- commercial agriculture
- compost
- fertilization
- home gardening
- household management
- Initiative A Clean Water
- Initiative C Sharing Science
- Initiative D Sustaining Ecosystems
- Initiative F Families and Communities
- Initiative I Energy for the Future
- local watersheds
- natural resources
- nursery production
- pesticides
- soil
- water quality