What to Know: Tips to Keep Arlington's Waterways Clean and Healthy
By Melissa Walker, Environmental Education Specialist
Posted on April 05, 2022, April 05, 2022

Leaves in a storm drain

It is springtime and many residents have started working in their yards and gardens. Therefore, it’s time to remind everyone that common landscape practices and the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers can harm our local waterways. As spring rains flow over yards and impervious surfaces like driveways, streets, roofs and parking lots, it picks up pollutants and transports them to our local creeks, streams and lakes. These materials are then discharged to our local waterways depleting oxygen levels, harming aquatic organisms and their habitats, and clogging our storm drain system.

Join the City of Arlington’s Stormwater Education Specialist from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the Southeast Branch Library. 900 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. to learn about stormwater pollution and its effects on our local water quality. Polluted stormwater runoff impacts our local waterways throughout the year this presentation will provide information on common stormwater pollutants and prevention solutions for our residents.

Protect Arlington's waterways by following these tips:

  • Never sweep or blow yard wastes such as leaves, grass clippings or tree limbs/trimmings into the streets, gutters, concrete channels or any waterway. Yard wastes will decay in our creeks and storm drains using up oxygen and releasing nutrients which can cause excessive algae growth. Yard wastes can also clog storm drains increasing the risk of localized flooding.
  • Report Illegal Dumping – The community’s help is essential in catching and deterring illegal dumping into the storm drain system, creeks, streams and lake. Call the action center at 817-459-6777 or file an online report at www.arlingtontx.gov/contact.
  • Compost and recycle yard wastes. This reduces the cost of chemical fertilizers and reduces stormwater pollution. Sweeping your grass clippings back onto your lawn provides vital nutrients to your landscape.
  • Apply fertilizers or pesticides sparingly; Use a slow-release product, and/or a low toxicity product when possible. Remove excess fertilizer or pesticide from impervious areas such as driveways and sidewalks. Never apply fertilizers or pesticides when rain has been forecast!
  • Read the Label! Select and Apply fertilizers or pesticides according to the manufacturers label instructions. This will minimize harmful effects on non-target or beneficial species and reduce environmental hazards.
  • Remember to properly store and dispose of all household and lawn chemicals. Clean up spilled chemicals quickly with sand or cat litter. For more information visit www.arlingtontx.gov/recycle.
  • Develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan using native and adaptive plants that require less water, pesticides and fertilizers. Visit our Texas Smart Yards page at www.arlingtontx.gov/stormwatereducation to learn more.

Visit www.arlingtontx.gov/stormwatereducation for more information on Stormwater Pollution Prevention.

Champion Great Neighborhoods, Flooding, City Council District 3
News, Government, Environment, Community, Library, Headlines, Code Compliance