Summer time is a great Rain washes anything that’s on driveways, streets and paved surfaces down storm drains and into lakes and rivers. Chemicals on dirt and gravel can also soak into groundwater, which is a source of drinking water for 75% of Minnesotans.
Help protect our water:
- Washing vehicles: Take your vehicle to a car wash so that soapy water doesn’t flow into storm drains that connect to lakes and streams. If you do wash at home, park your car on the lawn while washing so the water can soak into the ground. Look for non-toxic cleaners.
- Changing oil and other fluids: Change oil and other fluids inside garages and over concrete. If you need to do work outside, use a drip pan to catch spills. Always take used oil to the North or South Washington County Environmental Centers, or to a licensed local business.
- NEVER dump oil in storm drains! It is illegal and pollutes our water. If you see someone dumping oil or vehicle fluids in a storm drain, report it to the local MS4 contact. More information on Municipal Stormwater (MS4) from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
- Woodbury MS4
- Cottage Grove MS4
- St. Paul Park MS4
- Washington County (Afton, Denmark Township, & Grey Cloud Island Township)
- Cleaning parts: Rinse and drain parts over a solvent sink or tank, so they do not drip or spill onto the floor. Use drip pans to catch excess solutions and divert them back to a sink or tank. Reuse solvents if you can or dispose of the used solvents and wastewater at the household hazardous waste site
- Fix leaks & sweep-up spills: Is your car or truck leaking oil? Use sand or kitty litter to sweep up spills on your garage or driveway before these chemicals are washed into the storm drain. Find and fix leaks quickly to help protect our environment.