You may be fertilizing more than your grass!

The storm drain in your street is a link to our lakes and rivers. The choices you make when caring for your lawn directly affect water quality.
A common cause of lake and river pollution is phosphorus runoff. In response to this, many manufacturers now offer phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Although phosphorus is important for grass growth, many lawns have adequate soil phosphorus and do not need further phosphorus fertilization If you suspect your lawn is in need of phosphorus, soil test first to make sure before using a phosphorus lawn fertilizer.
Phosphorus turns lakes and rivers green. Phosphorus stimulates the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. This crowds out other water plants and reduces oxygen available to fish. The result is unattractive, foul-smelling water that is bad for fish, wildlife, and humans.
Nitrogen, not phosphorus, greens up grass. Phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer still contains nitrogen, the plant nutrient that greens up grass.
To keep our lakes and rivers healthy, we need to manage phosphorus carefully. Read on to learn how you can reduce phosphorus runoff from lawn fertilizers and other sources!

Anything that enters a storm drain goes to a local lake or river. It does not go to a waste water treatment facility.

Do you know you live on waterfront property? You do if there is a storm drain nearby! Storm drains carry runoff water to local lakes and rivers. Whatever washes off your yard and street can pollute these waters. That includes lawn fertilizer, grass clippings, pet waste, and tree leaves and seeds - all sources of phosphorus, the plant nutrient that turns lakes and rivers green with algae.
Keep your runoff clean!
Keep our lakes and rivers clean!

REMOVE LEAVES FROM THE STREET

Rake leaves, seeds and grass clippings out of the street and gutter.
Compost on site, bag for collection, or take to community compost program.

PREVENT EROSION

Phosphorus attaches to soil. Keep soil from washing into the street.

Fertilize Lawn not Lakes

FERTILIZE THE LAWN, NOT THE LAKES AND RIVERS

Choose a zero-phosphorus fertilizer. Many lawns have adequate soil phosphorus and will remain healthy without adding more.
If you think your lawn needs phosphorus, test your soil first. For information contact your university extension office or soil conservation district.
Sweep spilled fertilizer off paved surfaces.
Remember, compost and manure contain phosphorus too.

CLEAN UP AFTER PETS

Scoop the poop. Pet waste contains phosphorus as well as harmful bacteria.
Don't feed urban geese.

KEEP THE PAVEMENT CLEAN

Sweep up grass clippings, soil and fertilizer from driveways, sidewalks, and streets.

Best Management Practices for caretending around a Lake or pond

Runoff Control “Out of Lake Management” – A reduction in the inflow of these nutrients can have a significant impact on the function of the pond. Sources of nutrients include applied fertilizer, grass clippings and leaves, fowl excrement, among others. A watershed approach to reducing the organic content of storm water runoff should be developed in an explicit watershed runoff control plan for the entire neighborhoods.

Reducing the application of fertilizer adjacent to the pond will provide a direct impact. Additionally, collection of grass clippings and leaves will reduce the amount of nutrients which come to the pond from these sources. Fertilizer applications within 50 feet of a water body or stream should be applied with a drop spreader. These should be zero phosphorous. One pound of phosphorous can feed 10 pounds of algae.
Normally, nitrogen leaching from fertilizer applied to turf is very small when slow-release sources are used, but it can be higher under optimum conditions and when soluble fertilizer sources are used. Runoff contaminants from turf are usually negligible, which makes turfgrass an excellent buffer strip.
Use slow-release nitrogen sources.
Minimize late fall fertilization with soluble nitrogen sources, especially near watersheds and on sensitive sites.
Develop dense, healthy turf.
Apply fertilizer under carefully controlled conditions.
Create a no-mow zone of at least one foot surrounding the pond. This will allow native vegetation and grass to aid in removing nutrients and by not having to mow so close, grass clippings blown into the pond will be lessoned. This also aids in the stabilization of the bank's edge for a natural erosion control.

For more information:
Commonwealth Water Education Project:
http://www.inyourwater.org
The mission of the Commonwealth Water Education Project is to improve the nonpoint source pollution knowledge base of all Kentuckians and to encourage them to take personal and collective action to improve the quality of Kentucky's streams and rivers.

Other links from Commonwealth Water Education Project:
Yucky Stuff: Don't Feed The Storm Drain!
Exposed Soil: Cover It Up!
Excess Fertilizer: Save $$$ and Protect Streams!
Lawn Fertilizer: Think Fall and Use Less!
Animal Waste: Keep It Up—Off the Land!
Sewage: Get to the Bottom of It!

Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment):
http://www.kentuckypride.com/index.htm
Provides environmental resources and information to schools, community groups, local governments and citizens in Central Kentucky. For more more information on PRIDE's campaigns which focus on water quality and solid waste.

ENGINEERING —Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government:
http://www.lfucg.com/engineering/stormwater.asp
Stormwater Services. Construction Site Runoff Control. Letter to Home Builders dated 9/30/04. Erosion and Sediment Control Requirements for Home Builders.

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