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Sound Environmental Practices
Individuals can participate in the restoration of
Onondaga Lake by practicing sound environmental
measures in their homes and businesses in the lake's
watershed.
In the Yard and Garage
If you live in Syracuse or other areas around Onondaga
Lake, anything you dump or
throw on the ground or in the street
can end up in Onondaga Lake!
You can do the following at home to reduce pollution
of the lake:
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Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers on their lawns.
Pesticides and fertilizers can be carried with
runoff into sewers, creeks, and the lake. Fertilizers
contain
phosphorus
that helps unwanted algae and weeds to grow in the lake.
—Follow application instructions carefully.
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Keep storm drains clear of debris.
—Call the city to clean, repair, or replace clogged
storm drains (315-448-CITY).
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Help pick up litter and street debris.
Street debris,
litter, and trash can be carried into storm drains
that lead to storm sewers and
combined sewer overflows
that empty into creeks and the lake. This causes
unsightly trash along creek banks, the Inner Harbor,
and the lakeshore.
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Dispose of used motor oil properly.
—NEVER pour it down storm drains or into the street.
Service stations that change oil accept used oil for
recycling.
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Dispose of household hazardous wastes like paint thinners properly.
—Call 315-453-2870 (OCRRA) for information on community
disposal days.
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Pick up pet waste and put it into the trash.
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Don't put leaves, grass clippings, or tree clippings into the street.
—Put yard waste between the curb and
sidewalk (on the boulevard strip) for designated
pickup times, or take to special collection sites
operated by the City. Call 315-448-8005 for locations and
hours.
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Keep lids on all garbage cans and trash containers when stored or placed by the curb for pickup.
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Sweep driveways and sidewalks and put the sweepings in the trash.
Hosing down sidewalks and driveways wastes
water and can wash oil, grease, and dirt into storm
drains.
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Plant bare spots in your yard with grass or shrubs to cut down on erosion.
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Direct roof drains into grassy areas to water your grass and plants, save water, and reduce erosion.
And in
agricultural settings,
individuals can adopt farming practices which
reduce erosion
and
runoff
containing fertilizers, pesticides and animal waste.
Water Conservation at Home and at Work
You can also assist the restoration of the lake by
practicing sound environmental practices such as
water conservation
at home and at work. It is estimated that
30-50% of the water supply used in the United States
is wasted. Some water is wasted through disposal as
wastewater and some is lost in the water pipe
transport system before it gets to its distribution
points.
Fixing leaky faucets
and other running fixtures in homes and businesses will prevent
thousands of gallons of drinking water from
at wastewater treatment facilities. In Syracuse and Onondaga County, water
conservation could assist in reducing the amount of
flow going to Metro for treatment.
Other water conservation measures include:
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Installation of
water-saving shower heads
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Installation of
low volume toilets
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Reducing overall usage
to help send less water to sewage treatment facilities; thereby saving water and reducing costs.
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