Reducing Chemical Pollution

There are a few simples steps you can take to prevent chemicals from entering our waterways.

• Maintain your vehicles so that they don't leak oil and other automobile fluids.
• Store chemicals away from rainwater and dispose of them properly.
• Wash your car at a car wash or on grass or gravel so the water can soak into the ground, instead of running into a storm drain. Remember, water that flows into storm drains is not treated before it is released into our streams. If you choose to wash your car at home, use a biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts, such as Simple Green’s Car Wash or make your own car wash by mixing a couple tablespoons of eco-friendly liquid dishwashing detergent with three gallons of water and use sparingly over exterior car surfaces.

Reducing Litter

There are simple things you can do to reduce litter:

• Keep litter out of pickup truck beds and cover pickup loads so that trash doesn't blow away.
• Pick up trash around your yard, street, and neighborhood park. Not only does this help wildlife and the environment, you're doing your neighborhood a favor, too!
• Please pick up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in the toilet or trash. To help you when you are walking your dog, we provide pet waste bags at the Bickham-Rudkin Dog Park, Hafer Park, Mitch Park, and Fink Park.
• Recycle and reuse items whenever possible.
• Recycle or dispose of your automotive waste at the proper location.
• Throw all litter in trash cans. At your home, bag your trash before placing it in your cart for collection. You know our Oklahoma winds! This small step helps to keep litter from blowing out of your cart.