Residential Practices

Residential pollution prevention practices are household and neighborhood activities that prevent or reduce the contamination of stormwater.

Key Considerations

Residential pollution prevention practices prevent or reduce stormwater contamination from residential sources such as yards, driveways, sidewalks, and household products.

These practices are often simple, low cost behavioral changes that improve subwatershed water quality by minimizing the introduction of pollutants including sediment, nutrients, metals, bacteria, trash, oil, and toxins.

Each of these practices are highly suitable and effective in cold climates. Table 12.PREV.1 indicates the pollutants controlled by various residential pollution prevention practices while Table 12.PREV.2 describes some of the methods used for each of these practices. See Photo Credits and References for further information


This table shows a review of residential pollution prevention practices and the extent to which they control pollutants. Source: modified from the Center for Watershed Protection.
Link to this table

Practice Stormwater Pollutants Controlled
Sediment Nutrients Metals Bacteria Trash Oil Toxins
Fertilizer and Pesticide Management Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled
Litter and Animal Waste Control Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled
Yard Waste Management Moderately Controlled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled
Household Hazardous Waste Control Uncontrolled Slightly Controlled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled Significantly Controlled
Alternative Product Use Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled
Better Car and Equipment Washing Moderately Controlled Significantly Controlled Moderately Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Moderately Controlled Moderately Controlled
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Cleaning Significantly Controlled Moderately Controlled Moderately Controlled Uncontrolled Moderately Controlled Moderately Controlled Slightly Controlled
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Deicing Moderately Controlled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Moderately Controlled
Proper Pool Discharge Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Slightly Controlled
Septic Tank Maintenance Slightly Controlled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Significantly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Slightly Controlled
Exposed Soil Repair Significantly Controlled Moderately Controlled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled
Native Landscaping Significantly Controlled Significantly Controlled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled
Healthy Lawns Significantly Controlled Moderately Controlled Slightly Controlled Slightly Controlled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Uncontrolled



We anticipate eventually including information for specific pollution prevention practices. For now, you can access the pollution prevention fact sheets from the original Stormwater Manual using the following link: File:Pollution Prevention.docx

Practice Method Image
Fertilizer and pesticide management 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.
Infrequently filled parking lots.jpg
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