1. Never dump waste into a storm drain at the side of the road. Storm sewers run directly into streams and lakes.

2. Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly. Consider native plants that require little fertilizer.

3. Pick up pet waste which is high in nutrients similar to fertilizer and has fecal bacteria.

4. In the winter, use less salt on your sidewalks and driveway. Let your public officials know you support efforts to reduce the amount of road salt applied to roads and bridges. Chloride from road salt is building up in lakes and aquifers that receive runoff from highways.

5. Don’t wash your car in the driveway or street. Soaps contain nutrients and pollutants that are harmful to the lake and organisms living in it. Use phosphate-free soap or use a commercial car wash.

6. Add BioHaven® Floating Island Wetlands along lake inlets to help filter out unwanted nutrients and pollutants.

7. Plant trees and ground cover that reduce stormwater runoff.

8. Keep leaves and grass clippings out of the street.

9. Big waves cause shoreline erosion. Go slowly in your boat. Consider adding strips of BioHaven® shoreline wetlands which have excellent wave absorption.

10. If you have a stormwater pond to clean runoff in your neighborhood, it is still important to follow the steps above to reduce algae and odors. BioHaven islands are an effective addition to clean stormwater pond water because they do not require additional land and float to adjust to changing water levels.