It’s a fast-paced world we live in. Juggling work, family, friends, and the infinite other responsibilities in life is a tough task — and it can be easy to overlook the ways our everyday habits affect the environment around us. The good news: small changes add up fast. Here are five easy ways YOU can help keep your community’s storm drains clean, protect your local waterways, and minimize pollution — without overhauling your entire routine.
1. Use Fertilizers and Pesticides Sparingly on Your Property
Fertilizers and pesticides contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. When these materials wash off your lawn and reach our waterways, they can trigger harmful algae blooms and create “dead zones” — areas where no fish or plant life can survive. A few simple habits make a big difference: don’t over-fertilize your lawn, avoid applying anything near ditches, gutters, or storm drains, and hold off on fertilizing before a big rain. That last one is one of the most common and most preventable causes of storm drain pollution. Many Central Florida homeowners have also switched to organic lawn care options, which do the job without the runoff risk.
2. Be Responsible with Automotive Waste and Fluids
Oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids are toxic — and once they reach a waterway, they can kill fish and wildlife and linger in the environment for generations. The fix is easier than most people think. Wash your car on the grass instead of the driveway. The soil acts as a natural filter and reduces the chance of runoff reaching the drain. Better yet, take it to a car wash where the water is handled and disposed of safely. Have your vehicle checked regularly for fluid leaks, and always recycle used motor oil — never pour it down a storm drain.
3. Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste Properly
Paint, cleaners, batteries, and other household chemicals can end up in your storm drains if they’re not disposed of carefully. The solution isn’t complicated — try natural alternatives when you can, and never toss hazardous materials in with your regular trash. Contact your local solid waste authority to find an approved hazardous waste disposal site near you. If you’re in the Osceola County area, Celebration and Kissimmee both have local options.
4. Use a Professional Trash Can Cleaning Service
This one surprises people. Hosing down your trash can in the driveway might seem harmless, but that dirty wash water — full of bacteria, grime, and chemical residue — runs straight down your street and into your storm drain. You’ve essentially cleaned your can at the neighborhood’s expense. Here’s why professional high-pressure washing is a completely different animal compared to a garden hose.
Clean Cans uses 100% self-contained equipment with eco-friendly cleaning solutions. A high-pressure, 200-degree wash kills 99.9% of bacteria, and every drop of wash water is collected in a self-contained wastewater tank onboard the cleaning vehicle — then transported to a safe disposal site. Zero runoff. Zero pollution. And you get the cleanest cans on the block.
Clean Cans is your neighborhood can cleaning service, now serving Celebration, Davenport, and Kissimmee, FL.
5. Take Pride in Your Community
This one doesn’t require any products or services — just intention. Litter and debris are an eyesore, and they’re harmful to the environment. Pick up after yourself, encourage your neighbors and kids to do the same, and think before you dump anything near a drain. Storm drain pollution is a community problem, which means it has a community solution. The effects of littering on the environment and our health go further than most people realize.
Every person who makes a small change contributes to cleaner streets, healthier waterways, and a better place to live. YOU can make a difference — and in Central Florida, where our water connects directly to springs, rivers, and the coast, it really matters.
Want to learn more about protecting our waterways? The Ocean Conservancy has a great resource on storm drain protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common causes of storm drain pollution?
The biggest contributors are lawn fertilizer runoff, automotive fluid leaks, improper disposal of household chemicals, and dirty wash water from hosing down trash cans or vehicles on paved surfaces. Each of these is preventable with simple habit changes.
Does washing your trash can in the driveway cause pollution?
Yes — the wash water picks up bacteria, chemical residue, and grime, then flows directly into storm drains and eventually into local waterways. Using a professional trash can cleaning service that captures all wash water is the most environmentally responsible option.
How can I prevent fertilizer runoff into storm drains?
Avoid fertilizing within a day or two of rain, don’t apply fertilizer near gutters or storm drains, and consider switching to organic alternatives. Overwatering is also a major contributor — water your lawn only as needed.