Choose the right lawn care routine

Pollutant: Nutrients from fertilizer, grass clippings, and loose leaves

Don't feed the algae! Nutrient pollution from fertilizer, grass clippings, loose leaves, and pet waste cause algae blooms in our streams and Jordan Lake. Before buying and using fertilizer on your lawn, learn more about saving money, time, and preventing pollution.

• Consider using zero-phosphate formulas, unless a soil test recommends a different fertilizer.
• Before you use the fertilizer, check the weather forecast to make sure it won't rain for a few day. Otherwise, the rain will wash it away into the nearby stream.

Does the pond in your neighborhood have algae? Learn how to manage Algae in Stormwater Ponds and Wetlands.

Did you know that loose leaves are free fertilizer? Leaves contain a natural fertilizer called phosphorous. Falling leaves quickly decompose and leave behind natural fertilizers. When leaves are left on your lawn, these nutrients get recycled back into the soil, helping plants grow into the spring. But when washed down storm drains and into streams, the phosphorous encourages growth of pond weeds and algae that can:

• interfere with recreation,
• reduce the amount of oxygen in the water needed to sustain aquatic life, and
• nurture cyanobacteria "blooms" that can be toxic to people and animals.

instead, properly dispose of grass clippings to improve soil quality and add nutrients.

• Blow or sweep fertilizer and grass clippings from sidewalks and roads into your lawn or compost.
• Ask contractors to "mow high" with the chute facing the lawn.
• Never dump leaves or yard waste in wetlands or stream buffers. (It can cause downstream flooding and nutrient pollution.)
• Make sure your lawn service is properly disposing of all your waste.
• After big storms, don't pile yard waste in the street.

Not sure what to do with all your leaves, twigs, and grass clippings? The Town offers curbside pickup of yard waste.

Learn more about yard waste pollution, managing your lawn, integrated pest management, and how to compost.

Plant a rain garden

Rain gardens help reduce the amount of water flowing downstream during storms. By redirecting the runoff into your yard, rain gardens also help increase the groundwater supply beneath your property. Even small rain gardens can make a difference for our water quality, as long as they are properly placed and erosion control measures are taken for flow into and overflow out of the finished garden.

Fix erosion, plant trees, and maintain stream buffers

Pollutant: Sediment

Loose soil, also called sediment, from erosion is the most common form of surface water pollution in Chapel Hill. Leaves break the force of falling rain and reduce soil erosion. Tree roots bind the soil, guard against erosion, and take up water that would otherwise be stormwater runoff.

Trees, shrubs, and other plants along stream banks act as a buffer by filtering pollution before it flows into the stream. Choose native plants that are adapted to wet conditions. Native plants are any plants that were here before European settlement. They are well adapted to the soils, climate, animals, and other plants in our area.

Remove invasive, exotic plants that are taking over the area. These plants are from other parts of the world and, take over the entire landscapes because there are no natural predators to keep them in check.

Learn more about how to repair eroding streambanks.

Pick up pet waste and throw it away

Pollutant: Nutrients, bacteria, parasites from pet waste

In Chapel Hill, leaving out pet waste is against our Water Pollution Ordinance.

Dog poop contains bacteria and parasites that can harm humans and other animals if left on the ground. Bagging and trashing dog poop reduces the amount of roundworms, hookworms, E. coli, Giardia, and Salmonella in your neighborhood and local parks.

Helpful Tips

• Bag and trash cat litter.
• DO NOT compost pet waste in home composting piles. Your home compost doesn't get hot enough to kill the harmful bacteria in pet waste.
• Carry bags with you when you walk your dog. Bags can be tied or clipped to the leash and thrown away in the trash.
• Request a 6"x9" sign (seen below) for your neighborhood by calling 919-969-RAIN or email stormwater@townofchapelhill.org.

Look for outlet pipes in creek banks on your property

Pollutants: Metals from shingles; fast-moving water, hot water; sediment from erosion

If you find a pipe leading to a creek, follow the pipe to its other end. Pipes should not travel directly from your house into a local creek. All indoor drains must be connected to the sanitary sewer system by a licensed plumber.

Roof drains shouldn't go directly into the creek as this can cause erosion. Runoff from roofs can contain shingle particles and metals like aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, and zinc. If not collected properly, that runoff can enter our waterways. If your yard is large enough, disconnect your roof drains and allow the water to run into a landscaped area, cistern, or rain garden.

Think about how you wash things outside

Pollutants: Soaps; other chemicals

Detergents, paints, and chlorine damage water quality and kill the critters who live in our streams. Even "biodegradable" or "natural" cleansers are not safe for our watersheds. Soaps, cleaners, and wash water should be disposed into indoor drains only so they can enter the sanitary sewer system.

When you wash your car or pool, make sure wash water doesn't go down storm drains or into creeks. Wash your car on grass or go to a commercial carwash where the water will be filtered and treated.

Before service contractors begin work, you can ask them for their wash water discharge plan.

When you use a pressure washer or wash your car, make sure you properly contain the washwater so it doesn't go down a storm drain.

Maintain your septic system

Pollutants: Nutrients and bacteria from sewage; household chemicals

Not all properties in our community are connected to the sanitary sewer system. If you have a working septic system, be sure to have it pumped about every five years.  Poorly maintained septic systems can leach bacteria and waste into the ground and water. 

Learn more about septic system requirements in Orange County.

Don't drip and drive

Pollutants: Oil; motor fluids

Repair your vehicle as quickly as possible. Rain and runoff can carry motor oil and other vehicle fluids from the road into storm drains, local creeks, and Jordan Lake. Oil is toxic to people, wildlife, and plants.

Recycle used fluids responsibly

Pollutants: Oil; motor fluids

Car fluids like transmission fluid, power steering fluid, gear oil, motor oil and antifreeze
can be processed and recycled into new fluids. Fuel and other flammable liquids are hazardous and must be stored and disposed of properly, but many of them can be recycled or reused as alternative fuels.

Think about outdoor washing practices

Pollutants: Soaps; other chemicals

• Keep the wash water out of the street, storm drains, and creeks.
• Wash your car on gravel or grass and direct the wash water into a grassy area.
• Use half the amount of detergent (or none at all) so it breaks down faster.

Can't keep the wash water out of the street? Go to a commercial car wash where the water will be filtered and treated.

Commercial vehicle auto repair, fleet maintenance, and car wash resources

• Learn more about guidelines for Auto Repair Facilities.

Pollutants: Nutrients from sewage spills

Be careful what you put in indoor drains and toilets. In Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the sanitary sewer system is separate from the stormwater system. Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) manages local drinking water treatment and distribution and sewage treatment.

Sewage travels through pipes placed along Chapel Hill and Carrboro's creeks. These pipes lead to the sewage treatment center. Leaks, backups, and overflows of the sanitary sewer lines happen when they are blocked by grease, rags, "flushable" wipes, personal hygiene products, or roots. When blocks happen, raw sewage flows into creeks and down storm drains.

Reduce and dispose of hazardous household waste responsibly

Pollutants: Grease, household chemicals

Household hazardous waste includes cooking oil and any other items in your home that may be toxic, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous.

Keeping hazardous materials out of landfills reduces potential pollution and protects our groundwater. Orange County can help residents and businesses manage and reduce the use of these materials

Orange County Hazardous Household Waste Collection Center

You can take your waste to the Waste & Recycling Centers on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill and Walnut Grove Church Road in Hillsborough. Before you go, check out what you can bring on Orange County's Hazardous Household Waste webpage.

Helpful Tips

• Recipes for non-toxic cleaners. We don't endorse any ads you may see.
• Painting cleanup resources
• Integrated pest management

Pollutant: Chemicals

Chlorine, water conditioners, bromine, algaecides, biocides, stabilizers, salts, and other chemicals used in pool and spa water are toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

Pool chemicals are prohibited by law from being discharged into storm drains.

Learn how to drain your pool water and dispose of backwash.

Make clean water your business where you work:

• Mobile and Surface Washing Operations - Containment of Washwater(In Chapel Hill, Contact 919-969-RAIN)
• Pool Maintenance
• Restaurants
• Multifamily Property Management
• Painters
• Concrete Washout
• Auto Repair & Fleet Maintenance
• Erosion Control