9. Maintain Your Vehicle

Most people might link cars to air pollution, but all the fluids found in a car can be very detrimental to water quality, as well.​

• Make sure your car is not leaking oil or other fluids onto your driveway or onto the road where it can be washed into nearby waterways.​

• If you change your own oil, use an oil pan to catch any drips. If the oil spills, don’t wash it into the nearest stormdrain with the hose. Instead, clean it up with an absorbent material such as kitty litter and then dispose of it properly.​

• Wash your car on your lawn. Or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash where the wash water is captured, cleaned, recycled, and reused.​

• Soapy water contains phosphorus and other chemicals that can harm fish and water quality.