Easy with the Fertilizer

Over-fertilizing your lawn or garden isn’t good. Excess nutrients harm the waterways they wash into and life that water supports, according to Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Click on cartoon for more information. (Cartoon courtesy of South Kingstown resident Don Bousquet)

Use Them to Compost

Leaves clog storm drains, and this leads to treacherous driving conditions as huge puddles form on streets. Raking up leaves on your property and disposing of them properly can help reduce storm-drain clogging. Blowing leaves into the street, a new concept in landscaping care, certainly doesn’t. Nor does raking them to the roadside and hoping the next gully-washer takes care of them. It’s up to you to help keep stormwater runoff under control, according to Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Click on cartoon for more information. (Cartoon courtesy of South Kingstown resident Don Bousquet)

No Dumping

Whatever enters a storm drain flows directly into local waters, without treatment. If you see someone dumping anything down a storm drain, report it to your local town/city hall. Storm-drain dumping is illegal, and it contaminates the water that we all use to drink, fish and swim, according to Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Click on cartoon for more information. (Cartoon courtesy of South Kingstown resident Don Bousquet)

’Roid Rage

Over-fertilizing your lawn or garden can cause problems. Excess nutrients can harm the waterways that they are washed into and the life that ecosystem supports. Help keep your waters clean — and critters normal — with these simple steps: mow high and return clippings so your lawn may not need fertilizer; if you do fertilize, once a year is enough for established lawns; use ‘slow-release’ fertilizers; more is not better; and sweep fertilizer that spills onto your driveway or other paved surfaces back onto the lawn, according to Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Click on cartoon for more information. (Cartoon courtesy of South Kingstown resident Don Bousquet)

Don’t Be That Guy

Whatever enters a storm drain — and don’t blame Rover — flows directly into local waters. While we can’t control what geese, swans and ducks contribute, you can make a difference when it comes to pets. Never throw dog waste into a storm drain, and avoid letting your dog do his/her business within 200 feet of a water body, according to Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Click on cartoon for more information. (Cartoon courtesy of South Kingstown resident Don Bousquet)