1. Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do ~Employee Training Series~ Parks and Grounds Maintenance PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE Texas Commission on Environmental Quality AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY The preparation of this report was financed through grants from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

2. Parks and Grounds Maintenance Employees who maintain our parks and landscaped areas can help reduce water pollution by following precautions in their daily activities. Employees who maintain our parks and landscaped areas can help reduce water pollution by following precautions in their daily activities. –Plant Selection –Watering –Debris Management –Soil Management –Pesticide and Herbicide Practices

3. Plant Selection Utilize native or adapted perennial vegetation to reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide needs. Utilize native or adapted perennial vegetation to reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide needs. Use Texas SmartScape TM as a plant selection and plant care tool. Use Texas SmartScape TM as a plant selection and plant care tool.

4. Watering Avoid over-watering to prevent excess runoff. Avoid over-watering to prevent excess runoff. Avoid runoff by adjusting watering time and direction and volume of spray heads. Avoid runoff by adjusting watering time and direction and volume of spray heads. Check soil moisture and water only when the top 4” to 5” of soil is dry. Check soil moisture and water only when the top 4” to 5” of soil is dry.

5. Watering Monitor rainfall and turn off sprinklers during rainy weather. Monitor rainfall and turn off sprinklers during rainy weather. Install rain and freeze sensors on automated sprinkler systems where possible. Install rain and freeze sensors on automated sprinkler systems where possible.

6. Debris Management Mow grass as high as possible and leave clippings on the lawn. Mow grass as high as possible and leave clippings on the lawn. Compost leaves for use as a soil amendment or shred and add to flower beds as mulch. Compost leaves for use as a soil amendment or shred and add to flower beds as mulch.

7. Debris Management Sweep paved surfaces or blow clippings and trimmings onto grass rather than hosing down. Sweep paved surfaces or blow clippings and trimmings onto grass rather than hosing down. Never dispose of grass clippings, leaves, or other debris in the storm drain. Never dispose of grass clippings, leaves, or other debris in the storm drain. Remove accumulated litter and debris from storm drain inlets. Remove accumulated litter and debris from storm drain inlets.

8. Soil Management Aerate and add compost to the soil to reduce fertilizer needs, improve drainage, and promote root growth. Aerate and add compost to the soil to reduce fertilizer needs, improve drainage, and promote root growth. Have soil tested well before the application season to determine fertilizer needs. Have soil tested well before the application season to determine fertilizer needs. Limit soil erosion by planting vegetation on bare areas and using mulch or matting for landscaped areas. Limit soil erosion by planting vegetation on bare areas and using mulch or matting for landscaped areas.

9. Pesticide and Herbicide Practices Follow safety, storage and disposal procedures for pesticides and herbicides. Follow safety, storage and disposal procedures for pesticides and herbicides. Follow label directions precisely when mixing or applying pesticides or herbicides. Follow label directions precisely when mixing or applying pesticides or herbicides. Mix pesticides and herbicides where spills will not soak into the ground or runoff into the storm drainage system. Mix pesticides and herbicides where spills will not soak into the ground or runoff into the storm drainage system.

10. Pesticide and Herbicide Practices Use landscaping pesticides and herbicides only as needed. Use landscaping pesticides and herbicides only as needed. Use non-toxic substitutes for chemicals when possible. Use non-toxic substitutes for chemicals when possible. Carefully select the most appropriate product for the problem to be treated. Carefully select the most appropriate product for the problem to be treated. Apply pesticides and herbicides to the problem area only, versus application over a wider area. Apply pesticides and herbicides to the problem area only, versus application over a wider area.

11. Pesticide and Herbicide Practices Avoid stray product from being deposited on streets or other paved surfaces where it may be washed into the storm drain system. Avoid stray product from being deposited on streets or other paved surfaces where it may be washed into the storm drain system. Don’t apply chemicals near sensitive areas including streams, lakes, wetlands, or drainageways. Don’t apply chemicals near sensitive areas including streams, lakes, wetlands, or drainageways.

12. Pesticide and Herbicide Practices Don’t apply during windy conditions or when rain is predicted within 24 hours. Don’t apply during windy conditions or when rain is predicted within 24 hours. Report any suspected problems regarding pesticide or herbicide applications. Report any suspected problems regarding pesticide or herbicide applications.

13. Protecting water quality requires that all employees do their part to prevent storm water pollution. Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do