Be stormwater smart at home

Published on April 15, 2024

During the recent storm events, Menlo Park was reminded of the importance of our stormwater infrastructure. You can do your part to benefit the environment and bring value to the community by supporting local stormwater management projects.

If you’ve been thinking about reducing your environmental footprint, you can take steps to decrease the amount of water and pollution that flows from your home into local waterways. Rain is great for your lawn, but excess rain can run off from your yard and walkways into the street. Chemicals that have come in contact with rain water can then flow downstream from the storm drain into local rivers, lakes or streams.

Reminders for being stormwater smart at home:

• Apply fertilizers and pesticides carefully on your lawn or garden. Do not apply on pavement. Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides completely if rain is in the forecast.
• Consider installing a rain garden, which is a depressed area planted with grasses or perennials that collects stormwater.
• Wash your car with biodegradable soap to avoid chemicals floating downstream or visit a carwash.
• Direct water from downspouts and car washing to grassy areas, so it can soak into the ground rather than hit the pavement.
• Don’t hose down your driveway or flush dirt down the storm drain.
• Look for spots on the ground that indicate your car leaks oil or fluid. Don't let your leaks pollute!
• Use permeable pavers instead of hard stones or pavement in your yard to help water absorb into the ground.
• Sweep sidewalks of leaves, yard clippings and pet waste and put the debris in the trash or compost.
• Install a rain barrel to help prevent rain from flowing into storm drains. The water you collect can be used later for your landscape or garden.