Five Ways to Protect Minnetonka Water Quality

The following was released by the city of Minnetonka:

Follow these five quick and easy tips to protect water quality in your neighborhood.

• Sweep or blow grass clippings back on the lawn. Grass clippings decompose quickly, releasing phosphorus and nitrogen that can promote the growth of algae and weeds in water resources. One year of grass clippings left on the lawn = one free fertilizer treatment.
• Pick up pet waste. In addition to being unsightly, pet waste contains nutrients and potentially harmful microorganisms that can affect surface waters. Dispose of pet waste in a proper waste receptacle.
• Keep paved surfaces clean. Sweep or soak up spills from fertilizers and other chemicals immediately before they reach the street and local storm drain or outlet, and reuse or properly dispose of as appropriate. Shovel, sweep or rake (rather than hose) soil, mulch and other yard wastes and materials before they wash away.
• Direct water runoff onto lawn or planting beds. Turn downspouts into your yard rather than down the drive if possible (but avoid turning toward a neighbor’s or your house’s foundation). Look for other ways to keep your runoff on your property with rain gardens, planting beds/berms, rain barrels, or other ideas.
• Adopt a storm drain. Clearing garbage, twigs, leaves and other debris from around the storm grate not only keeps water from backing up into the street but also keeps these materials from washing into the local wetland, lake, or creek. Dispose of with trash or yard waste as appropriate.