New Garden Township

Some things homeowners can do that will help prevent Pollution to our streams and creeks

WHEN YOU’RE WASHING YOUR CAR IN YOUR DRIVEWAY, REMEMBER YOU’RE NOT JUST WASHING YOUR CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY

www.newgarden.org

White Clay Watershed

Red Clay Watershed

When you wash your car, all the soap, scum and oily grit runs down into the storm drains and then runs into the White Clay or Red Clay Creeks and then into the Delaware River and eventually the Ocean. This causes pollution which is unhealthy for people and fish.

Please wash your car on grass, gravel instead of the street or driveway. Or better yet, take your car to a car wash where the water gets treated or recycled.

New Garden Township

610-268-2915

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Wash your car on a grassy area, so the ground can filter it naturally. Use soap sparingly. Try to use non-phosphate detergents.
2. Use a hose that is high pressure, low volume and has a pistol grip or trigger nozzle to save water, wash one section of the car at a time and rinse it quickly.
3. When you’re done, empty your bucket of soapy water down the sink, not in the street.
4. Best of all take your car to a commercial car wash, especially if you plan to clean the engine or bottom of car. Most car washes reuse water several times before sending it for treatment at the wastewater treatment plant.

For more information about stormwater runoff pollution call the Township at 610-268-2915 or the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary at 1-800-445-4935

White Clay Watershed

Red Clay Watershed

Map of New Garden Townships Streams

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WHEN YOU’RE FERTILIZING YOUR LAWN, REMEMBER YOU’RE NOT JUST FERTILIZING THE LAWN

www.newgarden.org

You fertilize the lawn, then it rains, the rain washes the fertilizer into the storm drains and then into the Red Clay and the White Clay Creeks, then into the Delaware River and eventually the Ocean. This causes algae to grow which uses up all the oxygen which fish need to survive. So if you use fertilizer please use it sparingly.

Call New Garden Township for more information:

610-268-2915

Call The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary at 1-800-445-4935

Or New Garden Township at 610-268-2915

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WHEN YOUR CAR IS LEAKING OIL ON YOUR DRIVEWAY OR STREET IT’S NOT JUST LEAKING OIL ON YOUR DRIVEWAY OR STREET

www.newgarden.org

Leaking oil goes onto your driveway or street.

Rain washes the oil into the stormdrain then into the White Clay and Red Clay Creek, then into the Delaware River and Ocean.

Imagine the number of cars in your area and then think about how much oil goes into the streams and creeks. So please maintain your car and always recycle used motor oil.

On places you can take your used motor oil for recycling contact New Garden Township 610-268-295 or the Chester County Recycling Coordinator 610-273-3771

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WHEN YOUR PET GOES ON THE LAWN, REMEMBER IT DOESN’T JUST GO ON THE LAWN.

www.newgarden.org

When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains.

This pollutes our creeks and streams. So what can you do? Simple. Dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet).

Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.

Call New Garden Township 610-268-2915 or The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary 1-800-445-4935

White Clay Watershed

Red Clay Watershed

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