For Residents

Did you know that stormwater pollution starts at home? It happens when you don’t pick up after your dog or when you apply too much fertilizer on your lawn. It happens when you wash your car and the soapy, dirty water flows onto the street, eventually into the storm drain. You can prevent water pollution and help keep our streams and rivers clean for your friends, family, and those who live downstream from you.

Clean up after pets

Approximately 77,349 dogs live in Boulder County. That many dogs creates a lot of dog waste! You can make a difference by being a responsible pet owner. Be prepared and carry bags with you to pick up pet waste on the trail, at the park, around your neighborhood, and anywhere else you take your dog. Pick up after your pet at home using bags or a scooper and place in a trash can. Do not leave bags on the side of trails—there isn’t anyone designated to pick them up!

Read the Pet Waste Flyer (English) / Desechos de mascotas (Spanish) for more tips.

Learn more about the impacts of pet waste on our waterways.

An older man bends down to use a broom and dustpan to sweep dried leaves off of a brick pathway.

Properly Maintain Yards, Lawns, and Gardens

Lawn care, landscaping, and pest control practices are major contributors to stormwater pollution. Tend to landscaping with organic practices and alternative pest management techniques to keep them healthy – healthy plants and lawns require less fertilizers and pesticides. Preventing water runoff is important to keep any chemicals applied from running off and nutrients from leaching out of the soil. Yard waste should be kept off sidewalks and roads and composted when possible.

Read the Lawn and Garden Flyer (English) / Guía de jardín y césped (Spanish) for more tips.

Learn more about the impacts of yard waste and pesticides and fertilizers on our waterways and see how you can slow the flow of stormwater off your property.

Carefully Wash and Maintain Cars

When you wash your car in a driveway or street, the dirty water flows untreated into the nearest storm drain and then into local waterways. This used water can contain residue from exhaust fumes, gasoline, heavy metals from rust, and motor oils that build up on your car. Check your parking spot and driveway for evidence of leaks from your car and repair any car leaks promptly. When possible, wash vehicles at a full or self-service car wash where used water is recycled or treated. Store hazardous auto fluids and waste indoors or in a sealed container to prevent spills and dispose of responsibly at auto shops or other facility.

Read the Car Washing and Maintenance Guide (English) / Guía del lavado y mantenimiento de coches (Spanish) for more tips. Check out Locations to Properly Dispose of Used Auto Fluids in the Boulder St. Vrain Watershed.

Learn more about the impacts of car washing and maintenance on our waterways.

A person in uniform uses a power washer to clean dirt from a brick pathway, the water spraying onto the adjacent grass.

Home Projects and Maintenance

Regular maintenance inside and around our living spaces can impact stormwater. When washing compost containers, dump wash water into indoor sink drains or directly onto landscaped areas. Never allow wash water to enter roads and storm drains. During the winter, shovel snow onto landscaped areas and use deicers sparingly. For pools and spas: dechlorinate before draining; remove or strain out algae, solids, and oils; and discharge water slowly and carefully. Home projects can also send sediment and pollutants into streams, properly dispose of the waste created by rental equipment. Certain materials need to be disposed of as hazardous waste; other waste byproducts can be disposed of in the trash.

Check out these flyers to learn more: Draining Pools Spas and Fountains (English) / Drenaje de piscinas, fuentes y spas (Spanish), Painting Guide (English) / Pintura (Spanish), Home Improvement Projects Guide (English) / Proyectos de mejora de la vivienda (Spanish).

A person in uniform drags a full paint roller against a gridded tool, dripping excess paint into the open paint bucket below.

Responsibly Dispose of Household Waste

Litter and chemicals from our home can pollute waterways and be toxic to aquatic life. Household hazardous waste includes products that contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them. Make sure that your trash and recycle cans lids are securely attached. Whether you need to get rid of used motor oil, paint, solvents, or fertilizer, recycle or properly dispose of these products at your local recycling center or other specialized facility. By responsibly disposing of these items, you are keeping them from accidentally ending up in our streams and negatively impacting aquatic life.

Learn more about how litter impacts our environment and where to responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste in Boulder County.

Printable Resources for Residents

Resources for the Boulder St. Vrain Watershed

The Keep it Clean Partnership has developed flyers on various topics with tips and localized resources for the Boulder St. Vrain Watershed:

Hazardous Materials Management Facility

Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste Website

Resources for Residents of Any Watershed

The above resources highlight the local resources that are available to residents and businesses of the Boulder St. Vrain Watershed. We have also created general printable versions of our resources that can be distributed to the residents of any watershed. Please email Cristina Ramirez at [email protected] to request these.