Help to Keep Our Creeks Clean
Keeping our water clean benefits us all and is something we can do every day! Check out the ideas below and choose one (or more!) for you and your family to adopt. Share this site and ideas with your friends and family to bring the community together to keep our waters safe and clean.
Put Trash in the Right Place
Why: This prevents water contamination from stormwater runoff, landfill leaching, and debris that harm human health.
How:
- Can the item be recycled? Recycle it.
- Can the item be reused? Could you find a way to use it again?
- Can the item only be thrown away? Toss it—but pause and consider better options next time.
Example: If you buy a plastic water bottle, recycle it. But next time, bring a reusable bottle. It’s cheaper and creates less trash! It’s a win-win.
Never Flush Medicine or Chemicals
Why: flushing medicine or chemicals pollutes waterways and can’t be removed. This harms aquatic life, and can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How:
- Take old medicine to a drop-off location in Erie County.
- Other chemicals should go to a proper disposal site, depending on what they are.
Be Careful with Lawn Products
Why: Fertilizer and weed spray can wash into storm drains and end up in our drinking water.
How:
- Follow the product directions.
- Don’t use extra spray — more doesn’t mean better.
- Consider natural pest and lawn enhancements and protections, or skipping chemicals altogether.
- Plant native species (including grasses) that are naturally resistant to pests and suited to our climate.
Plant a Rain Garden
Why: A rain garden is a small garden made to soak up extra rainwater. It uses local plants that are easy to take care of and helps clean the water before it reaches streams and lakes.
Intro to Rain Gardens
Choose Better Packaging
Why: This helps to reduce contamination and conserve water during manufacturing. It can significantly impact local water quality.
How:
- Can the packaging be recycled?
- Can you buy something with less wrapping?
- Can you buy in bulk instead of lots of small packages? Buying in bulk can be a great way to minimize waste, not to mention it often saves you money.
Share Instead of Tossing
Why: Help to minimize waste going into landfills.
How:
- If you don’t like something — like a perfume, shampoo, or lotion — instead of throwing it out, ask a friend, neighbor, or family member if they want it.
- Consider donating items to your local thrift stores or city mission.