Residential prevention practices for TSS

Residential pollution prevention methods effective for controlling or reducing total suspended solids (TSS).
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Practice	Relative effectiveness	Method	Image1
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Cleaning	High	Sweep sidewalks and driveways and dispose of sweepings in the trash instead of using hoses or leaf blowers to clean surfaces.
Exposed Soil Repair	High	Use native vegetation or grass to cover and stabilize exposed soil on lawns to prevent sediment wash off.
Native Landscaping	High	Reduce turf areas by planting native species to reduce and filter pollutant-laden runoff and prevent the spread of invasive, non-native plant species into the storm sewer system.
Healthy Lawns	High	Maintain thick grass planted in organic-rich soil to a height of at least 3 inches to prevent soil erosion, filter stormwater contaminants, and absorb airborne pollutants; limit or eliminate chemical use and water and repair lawn as needed
Yard Waste Management	Moderate	Prevent yard waste from entering storm sewer systems and water bodies by either composting or using curbside pickup services and avoiding accumulation of yard waste on impervious surfaces; keep grass clippings and leaves out of the street.
Better Car and Equipment Washing	Moderate	Wash cars less often and on grassy areas using phosphorus free detergents and non-toxic cleaning products or use commercial car washes to prevent dirty wash water from flowing to storm sewer systems and water bodies.
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Deicing	Moderate	Reduce or eliminate the need for deicing products by manually clearing sidewalks and driveways prior to deicer use; use environmentally-friendly deicing products when possible, apply sparingly and store properly if used.

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