Take Action: Simple Steps To Protect Your Water and Watershed

1. Conserve water

• Use a rain barrel to collect water for gardens
• Plant hardier native plant species which require less watering
• Water gardens less frequently, use mulches to reduce evaporation
• Use low flow household products (toilet, shower head), and repair leaks and drips
• Run the dishwasher or washing machine only with a full load
• Reduce the size of your lawn, leave your grass longer, water your lawn only when required and leave grass clippings on the lawn (they add moisture to the soil)
• Compost food waste instead of using the garbage disposal
• Shorten your shower time and turn off the water while brushing your teeth

2. Get to know your watershed

• Visit a recreation area in your watershed year-round to picnic, hike, swim, snowshoe, ski, and enjoy the scenery
• Join a local watershed organization, like the Elbow River Watershed Partnership, and volunteer

3. Take care with hazardous products

• Don't use fertilizers or pesticides
• Dispose of hazardous products properly
• Don't pour anything down storm drains as it goes directly to local creeks, rivers and ponds

4. Protect riparian areas

• Protect existing trees and shrubs beside ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes
• Plant trees and shrubs to remediate riparian areas

5. Protect groundwater

• Keep your septic system in good working order
• Use sand instead of salt on your driveway and walkway

6. Improve your green space

• Plant trees and shrubs to control runoff and soil erosion, improve water quality, and help clean the air

7. Improve your local infrastructure

• Use permeated pavement, green roofs
• Redirect downspouts into gardens
• Promote more parks, community gardens, constructed wetlands
• Make a rain garden