Think Blue Connecticut River

Spills don’t stay put. Oil, fuel, paint, and other spills can be carried by rain straight into storm drains—and into our waterways. Clean up spills quickly and dispose of materials properly to protect water quality. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

Capture the rain. Use it again. 🌧️ Rain barrels collect runoff from rooftops, reducing pollution and keeping stormwater out of drains. Reuse that water for your garden and help protect local waterways. Small changes, big impact. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

On the ground today, in our water tomorrow. 🚯 Litter can be carried by rain into storm drains and local waterways. Even small items add up. Dispose of trash properly and secure loose items to help keep our waters clean. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

Let the ground do the work. 🌧️ Permeable pavement lets rain soak into the ground instead of running into storm drains. This helps reduce flooding and keeps pollutants out of local waterways. Smarter surfaces = cleaner water. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

Don’t let your yard wash away. 🌧️ Loose soil can wash into storm drains during rain, carrying sediment and pollutants into local waterways. Use mulch, plants, or barriers to keep soil in place. Keep it on your lawn—not in our water. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

What leaks here ends up there. 🚗💧 Oil, soap, and grime from vehicles can wash into storm drains and flow to local waterways. Fix leaks early and wash cars on grass or gravel so water can soak in. Small fixes make a big difference. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

No bag = no excuse. 🐾 Pet waste left behind can wash into storm drains, carrying bacteria and nutrients into local waterways. Always bring a bag, pick it up, and dispose of it properly. Clean up—it protects our water. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

Feed smart. 🌱 Fertilizers and lawn chemicals can wash into storm drains during rain, carrying pollution to local waterways. Apply only what your lawn needs and avoid spreading before storms. Protect what flows downstream. #MS4 #Stormwater #WaterQuality

Maintain your septic system. Failing septic systems can leak bacteria, nutrients, and wastewater into groundwater and nearby rivers and streams. Regular inspections and pumping help keep your system working properly and protect local water quality.

Fix leaks early 🔧 Even small vehicle leaks can drip oil, coolant, or other fluids onto pavement. When it rains, those pollutants can wash into storm drains and nearby waterways. Regular vehicle maintenance and quick cleanup help protect our rivers and streams.

Keep yard waste out of streets 🍂 Leaves, grass clippings, and yard debris left in the street can wash into storm drains during rainstorms. This can clog drains and carry nutrients into local rivers and streams.

Bag it and bin it 🐾 Pet waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains when it rains, carrying bacteria and nutrients into local rivers and streams. Always pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly to help protect water quality.

Use chemicals carefully. 🌱 Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers applied on lawns and landscapes can wash into storm drains during rainstorms. Follow label instructions, apply only when needed, and avoid using these products before rain to help protect our rivers and streams

Sweep, don’t spray 🧹 Hosing down driveways or sidewalks can wash dirt, chemicals, and debris into storm drains and nearby waterways. Instead, sweep up debris and dispose of it properly to help keep pollutants out of our rivers and streams. Learn more: ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org

Wash smart 🚗 Soap, dirt, oil, and road grime from washing vehicles can flow into storm drains and pollute nearby rivers and streams. Consider using a commercial car wash or wash vehicles on grassy areas where water can soak into the ground. Learn more: ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org

Only rain in the drain 💧 Storm drains lead directly to local waterways—not wastewater treatment plants. Oil, trash, chemicals, and pet waste entering drains can pollute rivers and streams. Help protect water quality by keeping pollutants out of storm drains.

Feed lawns responsibly 🌱 Too much fertilizer can wash off lawns during rainstorms and enter storm drains, harming rivers and streams. Apply only what your lawn needs and avoid spreading fertilizer before heavy rain. Learn more pollution prevention tips: ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org

Capture the rain 💧 Rain barrels collect water from rooftops and store it for later use in gardens and landscaping. By capturing rain, you can help reduce stormwater runoff and keep excess water out of storm drains and local waterways. Learn more: ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org

Direct water where it belongs. 💧 Downspouts should send runoff onto lawns, gardens, or rain barrels—not pavement. When water flows across paved surfaces, it can carry oil, fertilizer, and debris into storm drains and nearby waterways. Learn more: ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org

Know before you throw. ⚠️ Paint, cleaners, automotive fluids, pesticides, and other household chemicals shouldn’t go in the trash or down the drain. These materials can pollute local waterways. Take them to a Household Hazardous Waste collection site for safe disposal.