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Curb cuts allow water from pavement to drain
into and be filtered by landscaping.
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Landscaping is often thought of just as a way of making your business'
environment look nicer, however a properly landscaped business can accomplish
that goal as well as helping to reduce your business' pollution created
by storm water runoff. By landscaping properly we can reduce our impact
on the environment while creating a landscape that more closely mimics
the natural world. Look at our simple and low-cost suggestions for reducing
your landscaping's impact on non-point source pollution. Visit our web page on rain gardens to view a special type of landscaping that reduces stormwater pollution.
Click here for a list of additional internet resources
that will help your business have a positive impact on the environment.
Click here for a list of businesses
that can help you reduce your business's impact on the Anacostia.
Practice conservation landscaping
Minimize the amount of impervious surfaces on your property. Use pervious
materials, such as gravel, or grass or porous pavements for parking
areas, driveways, and walkways.
Use watershed-friendly
landscaping techniques such as grassy drainage swales to slow down and
filter storm water runoff before it leaves your property.
Construct a
landscaped "rain garden" to collect and filter your parking
lot runoff.
Install rain
barrels to capture and store roof top runoff, and use the collected
water for landscaping needs.
Plant native trees and shrubs - they reduce erosion and run-off,
reduce heating and air conditioning bills, create habitat for wildlife,
and decrease your yard's need for water.
Reduce the size of your lawn. Shrinking your lawn by adding gardens,
shrubs, trees and/or meadows adds diversity, reduces maintenance and
watering and creates habitat.
Conserve water
Using less water means less water needs to be treated at drinking
water and sewage treatment plants. This increases their efficiency and
saves energy by reducing the amount of water that needs to be pumped.
Some ways of reducing water consumption are:
Water in the early morning or early evening. Watering during
this time minimizes evaporation while maximizing the amount plants absorb.
Give your grass only 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week and don't
water when rain is anticipated.
Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses instead of sprinklers.
Use rain barrels to collect rainwater. Rain barrels reduce soil
erosion and runoff, while giving you a source of water for your garden.
Plant native trees and shrubs - they decrease your yard's need
for water.
Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers
These chemicals, some of which take years to break down, can end up
in our water and harm fish, wildlife and us!
The average yard receives ten times more fertilizer than is necessary
- test your soil before applying fertilizer.
Leave grass clipping on the lawn. By removing them you are removing
a natural fertilizer and filling up our landfills.
Use a reel mower if possible. They cut grass more efficiently
thereby reducing grasses need for water and fertilizer - and they don't
create air and noise pollution.
Practice smart pest management. Check your plants regularly for
problems, treat only the affected area, and look for non-toxic alternatives
such as non-toxic chemicals and beneficial insects.
If you use a lawn care company, request that they use environmentally
friendly lawn care practices, such as "integrated pest management",
on your property.
Plant
native trees and shrubs - they are adapted to the local environment
and therefore less susceptible to pests and diseases.
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