Residential prevention practices for TP

Residential pollution prevention methods effective for controlling or reducing phosphorus.
Link to this table

Practice	Relative effectiveness	Method	Image1
Fertilizer and pesticide management	High	Reduce or eliminate the need for fertilizer and pesticides by practicing natural lawn care, planting native vegetation, and limiting chemical use; follow Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18C and federal regulatory requirements on fertilizer and pesticide storage and application if used.
Litter and animal waste control	High	Properly dispose of pet waste and litter in a timely manner and according to local ordinance requirements.
Yard Waste Management	High	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.
Septic tank maintenance	High
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.
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.
Exposed Soil Repair	High	Use native vegetation or grass to cover and stabilize exposed soil on lawns to prevent sediment wash off.
Healthy Lawns	Moderate	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

¹ Photo credits