Help Prevent Stormwater Pollution at Work and Home Winter Pollution Prevention Practices

Employ these simple pollution prevention practices during winter weather to prevent stormwater pollution.

Remember: Stormwater pollution is a major cause of water pollution in our urban and suburban streams and drains which go to our rivers and the Great Lakes.

• Shovel/plow snow first to remove it from paved surfaces, like driveways and sidewalks, before applying snow melt and deicing products.

• Pile snow downslope of paved surfaces to help prevent icy and slippery conditions on pavement as snow melts and refreezes.

• Shovel, blow or plow snow onto lawn and vegetated areas where melting snow can soak into the ground.

• Take a “Snow Day” – work at home or postpone errands on snow days avoiding trips on the road to help county and municipal road crews clear roads safely, possibly limiting the need for excessive road salting and deicing.

• Sweep up after snowmelt – Sweep and dispose of residual sand, grit, and litter to help present accumulation in streets and roadside ditches; clogged drains and culverts and sediment pollution in streams and rivers.

• Keep gutters and drainage pathways clear and free of debris to prevent snowmelt from backing up and forming ice in places where you want runoff to flow freely.

• Direct, or route, snowmelt runoff into nearby gardens and vegetated areas before applying salt and deicing products.