Residential Practices

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

Key Considerations

Photo of Eagle Valley - Woodbury Mn example of narrow street
Photo of Eagle Valley - Woodbury Mn example of narrow street


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

Residential pollution prevention methods.
Link to this table

Practice Method Image
Fertilizer and pesticide management 1 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.
Fertilizer pesticide management.jpg
Litter and Animal Waste Control 1 Properly dispose of pet waste and litter in a timely manner and according to local ordinance requirements.
Litter animal waste control.jpg
Yard Waste Management 1 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.
Yard waste management.jpg
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Control 1 Ensure that hazardous waste, including paints, stains, solvents, cleaning products, used motor oil, antifreeze, and pesticides, are disposed of properly by participating in a County household hazardous waste collection program; properly store hazardous waste items.
Household hazardous waste.jpg
Alternative Product Use Use less harmful products including alternative cleaning solutions, pesticides, fertilizers, automotive and paint products to reduce the amount of toxic substances released into sewer systems.
Alternative product use.jpg
Better Car and Equipment Washing 1 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 car washing.jpg
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Cleaning 1 Sweep sidewalks and driveways and dispose of sweepings in the trash instead of using hoses or leaf blowers to clean surfaces.
Better sidewalk driveway cleaning.jpg
Better Sidewalk and Driveway Deicing 1 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.
Better sidewalk driveway deicing.jpg
Proper Pool Discharge 1 Check local ordinances for pool water discharge requirements; pool water should be discharged to sanitary sewer systems or held for a week or more without addition of chlorine prior to spreading over pervious areas to prevent stormwater contamination.
Proper pool discharge household.jpg
Exposed Soil Repair 1 Use native vegetation or grass to cover and stabilize exposed soil on lawns to prevent sediment wash off.
Exposed soil repair.jpg
Native Landscaping 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.
Native landscaping.jpg
Healthy Lawns 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
Healthy lawns.JPG