Sound Ideas for Clean Water

Native plants require little to no chemical fertilizers and have long root systems that store and filter water. They are adapted to live in local conditions, support the local ecosystem, and stay put, unlike non-native plants. You can view some examples of Long Island Sound natives in our series Flora on the Sound.

Rain gardens allow stormwater runoff to naturally soak into the ground. This process filters out pollutants that are carried with the rainwater that washes off your lawn, rooftop and driveway. Rain gardens come in many sizes and are easy to build and maintain! Rainwater harvesting systems, like rain barrels, gather and save rainwater to be utilized later for watering your lawns and gardens, whether a homeowner or renter. For more information on how to build a rain garden, visit the EPA Soak up the Rain website. If you’d like to install a rain barrel or garden, you could apply to the Long Island Garden Rewards Program to have it be reimbursed.

Plant trees and shrubs next to waterways. Riparian (or vegetated) buffers not only improve water quality and increase bank stabilization, but they also provide habitat for wildlife. For more information, read the Connecticut Sea Grant Planting Guide for Riparian Sites. Create a habitat in YOUR backyard. By providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young—and by incorporating sustainable gardening practices—you help wildlife. Visit the National Wildlife Federation’s website for more ideas.

Don’t let your leaks pollute! Car leaks that drip onto the ground, your driveway, or parking lots are picked up by rainwater and carried to storm drains that eventually reach waterways like lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. These chemicals are harmful to aquatic life and their habitats. Aim to make repairs to your vehicle as soon as possible. You can clean up spilled fluids using litter or sand, which once absorbed, should be disposed of in the trash–not rinsed.

Washing your car on grass allows dirty wash water to soak into the ground. Aim to use biodegradable soaps that are designed to break down naturally, unlike traditional soaps which can harm the environment. Better than washing your car at home, consider bringing it to the car wash. Most car washing facilities recycle their wash water and treat it before it is released back into the environment.

If you are part of a community car wash fundraiser, suggest moving it to a grassy field instead of playgrounds and parking lots. That way the dirty wash water can seep into the ground and be naturally filtered.

Permeable pavers allow stormwater to soak into the ground, rather than running across your driveway and to nearby storm drains. For more information on this driveway alternative, visit EPA’s Soak Up the Rain website.

If you’re not using fertilizer on your lawn, you’re already doing the best thing you can do to keep our waters clean! If you are using fertilizer and would like to stop while keeping your lawn looking good, try these techniques:

• Leave grass clippings on your lawn: These can act as a natural fertilizer, slowly releasing nutrients as they decompose. Find more specific tips here.
• Cut your grass no shorter than 3 inches: Longer grass means longer root systems, allowing them to reach deeper into the soil for water and nutrients. That means less fertilizing and watering are required.
• Consider using grasses that require less maintenance: Certain species of grasses require less maintenance and watering than others; find some guidance on them and how to overseed your lawn here.

• Use low amounts and slow-release alternatives: Find more information on selecting your fertilizer and calculating the best amount here.
• Time it right – only fertilize around Memorial Day or Labor Day: If you are going to use fertilizer, the key is to apply it when grass will be able to absorb it most to decrease the amount of fertilizer that remains on the ground and leeches into groundwater or is swept away by stormwater. Turfgrass becomes dormant when it is too hot and when soil temperatures drop under 55 degrees Fahrenheit, so the ideal time to fertilize is between mid-April to May after the ground has warmed but before summer temperatures increase. If fertilizing in the fall, especially if using slow-release fertilizers, early September is usually best. Be sure to check whether your state or county has timing restrictions too!

For more information on fertilizer best practices, read this report from UConn. 

Timing and placement of your sprinklers can also impact your water footprint. Limit irrigation to the very early morning (4-8 a.m.) or late night (6-10 p.m.) when it is cooler out to avoid evapotranspiration and make the most of your water. You should also make sure your sprinklers are only watering your plants and not the sidewalk or driveway, as this water could easily run over hard surfaces taking with it pollutants into the storm drain. You might also consider installing a rain or soil moisture sensor for your sprinklers to avoid overwatering. Find more tips and information on watering here and here.

Why not reuse the rainwater falling on your roof? Rain barrels collect rainwater which can then be used to irrigate your lawn. If you have downspouts, make sure they are pointing towards the lawn or plant beds and not an impervious surface like the driveway, where the rainwater could collect pollutants and go down the storm drain.

Clear your nearby storm drain before rain events to keep pollution from flowing into waterways. By clearing debris you can help curb pollution and reduce flooding. Contact your local public works department if you notice that a storm drain is heavily clogged or blocked. “Adopt-a-Drain” programs organize volunteers to regularly clean a specific storm drain to keep waterways protected. Learn how your neighborhood could adopt a drain here. 

Storm drains can accumulate trash and pollution. Natural materials like leaves will biodegrade but plastics can make it into the waterways, become microplastic pollution, and negatively impact birds, turtles, fish, and other wildlife. Reducing use helps keep the estuary clean and healthy. Our annual #DontTrashLISound wildlife stickers are perfect for your reusable water bottle and encourage others to break the single-use plastic habit.

Municipal crews or volunteers will use stencils to mark storm drains or apply decals that say “No Dumping – Drains to Waterways.” These markers help remind people to not dump litter or waste into storm drains. Work with your local public works entity to learn where and how to install the markers in your neighborhood.