Help Protect Your Watershed

Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are precautions and simple everyday operating practices and devices that prevent pollution at the source.

Pine Creek - Home to Egrets and Trash BMPs At Home

  • Sweep driveways instead of hosing them down.
  • Don't allow leaves or green waste to accumulate; compost or dispose of them properly (not along creek banks).
  • Use Bay-Friendly Landscaping andEco-Wise gardening methods. Adopt integrated pest management (IPM) methods. Minimize the use of chemicals around your home.
  • Consider installing rain gardens to treat stormwater run-off on your property.
  • Use a cistern to collect roof runoff to water your garden.
  • Consider replacing paved areas with more pervious materials that allow water to percolate into the ground.
  • Oversee your contractors to ensure they are not illicitly discharging pollutants to the storm drain system.
  • Never clean-out paint brushes or tools in the gutter (where waste water will flow to the storm drain and impact waterways.) Even latex paint negatively affects water quality.
  • Remember street sweeping days and move your cars and trash/recycle bins to allow street sweepers to access the street. Also, remind your neighbors!
  • Discharge your pool/spa/fountain into the sanitary sewer or onto landscaping.
  • Wash your car at a commercial car wash, where waste water is treated and recycled.
  • Organize litter clean-ups in the neighborhood and volunteer for creek restoration events.
  • Prevent storm water from coming in contact with work areas, especially maintenance areas and material storage areas, in order to prevent the discharge of contaminants.
  • Store materials under roofs or coverings such as tarps, and on paved areas that are bermed or curbed, in order to prevent contact with storm water.
  • Keep dumpsters closed and keep property free from accumulated trash.
  • Use drip pans under leaking vehicles, equipment and work areas; better yet, have leaks repaired.
  • Secure hazardous waste storage areas to prevent unpermitted access and vandalism.
  • Use shop vacs, vacuum trucks and/or mechanical sweepers to periodically clean work areas and parking lots.
  • Clean out on-site catch basins regularly. At a minimum, do so before the rainy season (October).
  • Clean up spills and leaks immediately using dry methods such as shop rags and absorbents.
  • Train employees in pollution prevention. Explain the reason for the change in procedure in order for behavior modification to be most effective. Reinforce training regularly.
  • Communicate BMPs with signage and document spill notification, training, clean-up procedures and spill kit management.
  • Periodically inspect and audit your facility. Pine Creek