Save Our Waters

Save Our Waters

The city encourages residents and neighborhoods to become actively involved in efforts to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff. There are many things that can be done to improve our waters and minimize the pollution that enters storm drains.

What You Can Do

• Bag your leaves, grass clippings, and other yard and gardening debris, or place loose material curbside, but not in the street, for pick up by city sanitation. Decaying grass and leaves entering bayous and bays decrease the amount of oxygen and can lead to algae growth and fish deaths.
• Start a compost pile and invest in a mulching blade for your lawn mower.
• Use fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides responsibly and as needed, preferably in dry weather. Not only can they be toxic to wildlife, they can also lead to excessive algae growth. Use natural, organic fertilizers as much as possible.
• Dispose of motor oil and other household hazardous wastes at designated locations. These can be toxic to wildlife and further damage water quality.
• Wash your car on your lawn and let the nutrient rich, soapy water fertilize your grass at the same time. Wash water adds excessive nutrients to our waterways.
• Maintain good ground cover to reduce erosion from property.
• Use alternative products in place of many commonly used toxic substances.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste.
• Use Alternative Products in place of many commonly used toxic substances. (See fact sheet)
• Properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste. (See fact sheet)
• VOLUNTEER
  
  Adopt-A-Highway Program
  The Florida State Adopt-A-Highway Program involves adopting a two-mile section of a state highway. The sponsor agrees to adopt a 2 mile section of highway and remove litter at least four times each year. The sponsor agrees to dedicate two years to the program. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Transportation website.
  
  Adopt-A-Park
  The Play Pensacola Adopt-a-Park program invites individuals and groups such as neighborhood and athletic associations, church groups, youth groups, scouts, businesses, civic organizations and families to show community pride and take an active role in helping maintain and beautify one of our 93 local parks. By adopting a park the group and/or individual commits their time and effort to help clean up litter, debris and report any dangerous or hazardous conditions to the Parks and Recreation Department. Trash bags and litter sticks will be provided to assist you in your efforts. The program will be coordinated under the direction or the Parks and Recreation Department. Groups or individuals who wish to adopt one of our 93 parks should contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 850-436-5676.

The Drain is for Rain

Remember, anything that goes into our city streets and drainage system ends up in our bays and bayous. Don't put anything into our drains that you wouldn't drink or play in.