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AROUND THE HOUSE :: TIPS AROUND YOUR HOUSE
You can help keep Arlington’s waterways and neighborhoods clean.
You can make a difference today by preventing pollutants from being
washed off your property and into Arlington’s creeks and streams.
Materials such as trash, lawn chemicals, and automotive fluids
pollute Arlington’s creeks. These pollutants go from our streets to
the storm drainage system to our creeks, lakes and rivers.
Rain Gutters
- When placing rain gutters on a home, direct them to grass or
other unpaved area, so the water can soak into the ground and water
the yard.
- Gutters can also be directed to rain barrels for storage for
watering flower beds during dry periods.
- Do not direct gutters to driveways or streets where the
concentrated flow can dislodge pollutants and wash them into creeks.
Lawn Care
- Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers if rain is forecast.
- Sweep up fertilizers or pesticides that fall on walks and
driveways where they can be easily washed into storm drains.
- Use slow release fertilizers.
- If chemical controls for pests are required, use an insecticidal
soap, since it is less toxic than conventional insecticides.
- Use recommended amounts only. Read label instructions. Excess
amounts are washed off your property by rainfall.
- When using liquid fertilizers or pesticides, make only as much
solution as needed.
- Dispose of pesticides properly. Don’t pour them down household
drains, toilets, or storm drains. If you have any left over, share
with a neighbor or take them to the Environmental Collection Center.
- Sweep up grass clippings or leaves instead of leaving them in
the street or on the sidewalk.
Car Care
- When washing your car, be careful not to allow the soap to flow
into the street. Wash the car on the grass or take it to a
commercial car wash.
- When changing any of your car fluids, collect them and take them
to a local collection site for recycling. Don’t mix your oil with
other fluids.
- Repair fluid leaks as soon as possible.
- Use absorbent materials (such as kitty litter or sand) to dry up
puddles of car fluids. Absorbent material then can be double bagged
in plastic for disposal in the trash.
General
- Don’t place kennels or other animal pens next to the creek where
waste will wash directly into the creek.
- Clean up pet waste in your yard each day.
- Repair household sewer leaks immediately.
- Cover any materials stored outside.
- Don’t wash paint brushes or other painting utensils outside.
Utensils used with latex paint may be washed in the sink.
- Left over pesticides, fertilizers and other household hazardous
wastes should be taken to the periodic collection events or to the
Environmental Collection Center in Fort Worth. Call 817-871-5257 for
more information.
- Keep the curbline in front of your home clean of debris.
Whatever is along the curbline is washed into creeks by rainfall.
Trash
- Go a step further — if you see someone else’s trash on the
street, pick it up.
- Put your trash out the morning of collection instead of the
night before when animals can get into it.
- Don’t throw trash from cars or allow it to blow from the truck
bed. If it’s in the street, it ends up in the creek!
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