The way we maintain our lawns, dispose of household chemicals and care for our automobiles can contribute to aquifer contamination. Some important ways we personally can help prevent groundwater pollution are monitoring our activities around home and thinking about how they can influence groundwater quality.
Practice Safe Gardening
Some chemicals designed to maintain lawn and gardens and control pests are very toxic and fertilizers can contribute nitrates to our water supply that can harm people and wildlife. Try to reduce use of herbicides and fertilizers by carefully following directions. Only buy small supplies of these chemicals that will be used quickly and dispose of spent products properly.
Minimize Household Hazardous Waste
Try to find substitutes for hazardous chemicals. Often there are biodegradable products you can buy that will do the same job and you don't have to worry about storage and disposal. If no substitutes can be found, use products sparingly and buy only a small supply.
Dispose of Motor Wastes Properly
Dispose of all motor vehicle wastes such as oil, gasoline, antifreeze and batteries properly. A single gallon of gasoline can contaminate up to one million gallons of water and only a small amount of oil contamination can force communities to look for other water sources. In Kennewick, you can put oil and hydraulic fluid in sealed plastic jugs for curbside pickup and recycling by Waste Management of Kennewick.
For information on disposal of garden chemicals, hazardous household wastes or motor vehicle wastes and other products, please call Moderate Risk Waste Facility at 509-942-7387.