A Citizen’s Guide to Cleaning Up

Use a broom, not a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.

* Buy nontoxic products for your garden and home.

* Follow directions on pesticides, fertilizers and weedkillers to make sure you apply them sparingly. Do not use when rain is forecast.

* Do not over-water your lawn or garden. Any water flowing onto pavement becomes runoff.

* Make sure your car isn’t leaking oil or antifreeze. Use a drip pan when changing car fluids and use kitty litter or sawdust to soak up spills.

* Do not pour, spill or throw anything into gutters.

* Pick up dog waste from pavement and lawns and throw it in the trash.

* Use biodegradable detergents to wash cars and use as little water as possible. Shut off hose while washing and then rinse.

* Compost leaves and yard trimmings or throw them in the trash. Do not sweep them into streets.

* Divert rain spouts onto grass or plants or install dry wells or cisterns.

* Remove pavement and plant vegetation around your house. Or use gravel, brick, cobblestones, paving stones on sand or other permeable surfaces.

* Rinse paint brushes in sink, not outdoors.

* Put tarps over loose soil or construction materials to keep out rain or water.

* Take unwanted paints, solvents, batteries, pesticides and other toxic materials to a local household hazardous waste roundup.

To report dumping in curbside catch basins or channels, call:

(800) 974-9794 (city of L.A.)

(800)303-0003 (L.A. County)

Source: City and county of Los Angeles, departments of public works