Report Suspected Stormwater Pollution when you see it happening.

• Label storm drains in your area.
• Participate in any of our other environmental programs

• Install a rain garden or wet-loving plants and trees in poorly drained areas.
• Install a rainwater harvesting system; citizens can purchase a rain barrel during our seasonal sale.
• Pick up a soil test box at the Stevens Nature Center and use the Lawn and Garden form to have your soil tested for free by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The analysis provides information to help you fertilize your soil according to plant needs and protects the environment from excess fertilizer application.  
• If you fertilize, hold off before a rainstorm and always sweep excess fertilizer back on the lawn.
• Blow grass clippings back onto the lawn or compost them. Take tips from The Sodfather.
• Set sprinklers to water the landscape only, not hardscapes such as driveways, sidewalks and streets.
• Prevent streambank and backyard erosion.

• Let only rain and allowable discharges (listed above) to go down the drain.
• Correctly dispose of household hazardous waste.
• Recycle used fats, cooking oil and grease(FOG) using our special FOG curbside collection program.

Pick up pet waste and throw it in the trash (Sec. 6-64 Cary Code of Ordinances)

• Stop by Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, an excellent resource for more information on rain barrels, water gardens and stream buffers. 
• Stroll through the rain garden demonstration at Ed Yerha Park.
• Visit Downtown Cary Park, which includes a number of Green Stormwater practices including bioretention cells, a recirculating water feature and a retention pond that accommodates the 100-year storm.

• Only flush items that will decompose naturally.
• Never pour grease down the drain.
• Conserve water use.
• Pump the tank out regularly by a licensed contractor.

See North Carolina State University’s Septic System Owners Guide for more information. 

Work in one of these businesses? Take these steps to help prevent stormwater pollution.

• Carpet Cleaning
• Commercial Property
• Food Service
• Landscaping
• Multi-Family Complexes
• Painting 
• Vehicle Repair