Common Pollutants, Easy Solutions

The City of Corvallis has made important strides to protect and improve water quality, but creating clean and healthy waterways takes us all! There are some very easy ways that YOU can help ensure clean and healthy waterways:

Common Household
Pollutants

Easy Solutions that
Make a Difference

Additional Resources
Pet Waste creates nutrient and bacteria pollution.
  • Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
Car Products, such as fuel, oils, and lubricants, harm water quality and ecosystems.
  • Recycle car oil through the Allied Waste motor oil collection program.
  • Service you vehicle regularly to prevent leaks.
 Allied Waste collects motor oil in containers which are not larger than 2 gallons. The container must have a tight-fitting screw-on lid. It is collected on the recycling routes and can be placed beside the tan cart.
Car Washing can contribute soap, dirt and grime directly to streams via the storm system when you wash your car in your driveway or street.
  • Wash cars at a commercial car wash; oil, gas, and grease are routed to special drains that connect to the city’s water treatment facility.
 Borrow a FREE Sudsafe Car Wash Kit by contacting the City Stormwater Program. Perfect for your next carwash fundraiser!
Sediments, exposed through construction or removal of plants, get washed by rain into storm drains and waterways and harm aquatic habitats.
  • Cover any exposed soils.
  • Keep sediment piles away from waterways and storm drains.
Household Products, such as batteries, cleaners, and paints, contain heavy metals that are toxic to aquatic life and the entire food web.
  • Properly dispose of hazardous household products by calling Republic Services collection program at 541-754-0444.
Compost and Excess Fertilizers put excess nutrients into waterways, causing algal blooms and low-oxygen conditions in the water, which kills stream plants and animals.
  • Keep compost and sediments away from waterways and storm drains.
  • Test soils before applying fertilizer and apply only as needed using slow release fertilizers.
  • Don’t fertilize when there is a chance of rain or irrigation.

For some great native plants and garden care resources, click below:
Pesticides and Herbicides accumulate in waterways and are toxic to human and aquatic life. Natural alternatives can be very effective and safer for children, pets, and water.
  • Learn about natural alternatives to chemical pesticides and herbicides.
  • Plant native vegetation, which requires less water and fewer chemicals.
 Click below for additional resources:
Pharmaceuticals washed down home or street drains end up in our drinking water.
  • Dispose of leftover or expired pharmaceuticals in the trash, NOT the sink, toilet, or storm drain.
  
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