Take action

Everyone can make a difference in protecting our local watersheds through simple everyday actions. By preventing pollution and managing rainfall on your property, you can help improve water quality and reduce flooding throughout your watershed.

Prevent pollution at the source

The easiest way to protect water quality is to prevent pollutants from entering stormwater in the first place!

Around your yard:

Cover bare soil promptly to prevent erosion
Test soil before applying fertilizers (Iowa soils often have sufficient phosphorus)
Choose phosphorus-free fertilizers unless soil tests indicate a deficiency
Keep leaves and grass clippings out of streets and storm drains
Use the least toxic products needed for pest management

In your neighborhood:

Properly dispose of trash and secure garbage cans with lids
Pick up litter, especially from streets and near storm drains
Never throw cigarette butts on the ground (they contain plastic that doesn’t break down)
Always pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly
“Adopt” a storm drain by keeping it clear of debris

Vehicle maintenance:

Fix automotive fluid leaks promptly
Wash vehicles on grass or at commercial car washes
Recycle used oil and automotive fluids at appropriate facilities
Never dump automotive products on the ground or down storm drains

Manage rainfall where it falls

Instead of letting rainfall become runoff, capture it on your property to reduce flooding and improve water quality:

Disconnect and redirect:

Point downspouts toward lawn areas instead of driveways or streets
Install rain barrels to collect and reuse rooftop runoff
Consider a rain chain as an attractive alternative to traditional downspouts

Create rainfall-friendly landscapes:

Soil quality restoration: Reduce compaction and increase organic matter with compost to improve infiltration
Rain gardens: Create shallow depressions with water-tolerant native plants that capture runoff
Native landscaping: Replace turf with deep-rooted prairie plants that increase infiltration and require less maintenance
Permeable surfaces: Consider permeable pavers or other porous materials for patios and driveways

Rain gardens, native landscaping, and other infiltration practices are designed to handle the “water quality event” (1.25″ rainfall) that occurs frequently in Iowa. For larger storms, these features typically include overflow routes to safely direct excess water away from structures.