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Conservation Tips
Learn how you can help protect our waterways with tips from our partner Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District!
DON’T BE A LITTER BUG!
Trash can enter the stormwater system and bring pollutants into local creeks and streams. Click here to find an MSD-sponsored trash bash or other river clean-up event near you, and sign up to help clean up our rivers! Check out this video to learn more about stream cleans.
COOL IT, CAN IT & TRASH IT!
Remember to never pour kitchen fats, oils, and grease down your sink drain, garbage disposal or sewer system when you’re cleaning up. They can build up in or block pipes and interfere with wastewater treatment systems. Instead, pour it into a container, like an empty can or jar, and throw it in the garbage. For more tips, click here!
TAKE IT EASY ON THE SALT!
Not on your food… but take it easy on using deicing salt on your driveway and sidewalk in the winter. These salts are toxic to many species within stream ecosystems and can also kill plants. Try shoveling or a snow blower first. If you need more, use bird seed for traction and the birds will enjoy a winter treat! For more winter deicing tips, click here!
SCOOP YOUR (PET) POO!
Did you know that pet waste is the #1 pollutant in area waterways? Stormwater comes into contact with pet waste left in our yards, becomes contaminated, and is then carried into the stormwater system which goes directly into our waterways without any treatment. Instead of leaving it or putting into a storm drain, put pet waste in a sealed bag in the trash, flush it down the toilet (but not in a bag!), or bury the waste in the soil at least 6 inches deep (but not in a garden).
Click here to learn more.
YARD WASTE MANAGEMENT
When people dispose of yard waste along creeks or in a storm drain, it can have negative effects on the waterways, animals and water quality. Yard waste decays in creeks and rivers, decomposing in a process that removes oxygen from the water, thus impacting fish and other aquatic life who need the oxygen to survive. Visit the MSD website or watch this video for tips on how to better dispose of yard waste.
DISPOSE OF BATTERIES, LATEX PAINTS AND MOTOR OIL
When it’s time to dispose of hazardous household waste – like batteries, automotive products, cleaners, latex paint, smoke detectors and fluorescent bulbs – be sure to take those items to designated recycling/disposal centers. You can find local centers at www.hhwstl.com.
KNOW YOUR ZONE
Know Your Zone is a public awareness initiative provided by The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) to encourage residents to find out what flood zone they live in and to do your research about flood insurance. If you are a home or business owner or a renter you should contact your insurance agent to see if you are covered by your current policy or if you need to buy flood insurance. Visit MSD’s interactive Flood Zone Map to see if you live in a Low, Medium, or High risk area for flooding.
RAINSCAPE YOUR PROPERTY
Rainscaping beautifies your yard while reducing water use, reduces mosquitos, supports biodiversity and improves water quality for everyone. If you are a land owner within MSD’s grant program area and you want to install a rainscaping feature on your property, you may be eligible to apply for a small or large-scale grant from MSD Project Clear. Visit MSD’s website to learn more.