CVWMA has received a $14,500 grant from Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund for a water quality and household hazardous waste disposal public awareness campaign. The campaign, called "Please Don't Feed the Storm Drain", will emphasize to citizens in central Virginia the impact their actions can have on water quality. The Restoration Fund is financed by revenues received from the sale of "Friend of the Chesapeake Bay" license plates and is used to fund projects that restore or educate people about the Bay.

Through a series of TV commercials, news segments, and information on our website, CVWMA will encourage citizens to learn more about nonpoint source pollution (NPS). In contrast to pollution from identifiable sources, NPS comes from many different sources as water flows across our community to the James River and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay. Common components of NPS are fertilizers and herbicides, oil and other automobile fluids, and bacteria and nutrients. Residents contribute to this kind of pollution by improperly disposing of household chemicals and over applying chemicals to their lawns and homes.

CVWMA's Safe Garage program and member localities provide citizens with nineteen locations for the proper disposal and recycling of many common contributors to water pollution. The campaign will educate area residents about the dangers associated with improperly disposed of household chemicals, remind them to use the available collection facilities, and offer advice for preventing the accumulation of HHW.

» Do not pour unwanted household chemicals down the drain or on the ground. Take to hazardous waste collection centers.

» Keep storm gutters and drains clean of leaves and yard trimmings. Decomposing vegetative matter leaches nutrients and can clog storm systems and result in flooding.

» Recycle used oil and antifreeze by taking them to service stations and other recycling centers. One quart of oil can contaminate up to two million gallons of drinking water!

» Buy chemicals only in the amount you expect to use, and apply them only as directed. More is not better. Select less toxic alternatives. Use non-toxic substitutes wherever possible.

» Use low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents.

» Use water-based products whenever possible.

» Cultivate native or resistant plants that discourage pests. Your local nursery can recommend good options. Minimize grassed areas which require high maintenance and water.

» Leave lawn clippings on your lawn so that nutrients in the clippings are recycled and less yard waste goes to landfills.

» Compost your yard trimmings. Compost is a valuable soil conditioner which gradually releases nutrients to your lawn and garden. (Using compost will also decrease the amount of fertilizer you need to apply.) In addition, compost retains moisture in the soil and thus helps you conserve water.