Residents

Clean Water - It's Everyone's Business.

The source of our drinking water (rivers and streams) starts at your front door. By keeping litter, chemicals, and yard waste out of street gutters and storm drains, you are preventing stormwater pollution-since these drain directly to a nearby lake, streams, or wetland. Remember: only rain down the storm drain!

Make Your Home a Solution to Pollution!                                                       Here are some simple steps to make your piece of the planet a healthier place to live...

Mud, Trash, & Litter:

• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and roads instead of using a hose.
• Keep a litter bag in your car; if you smoke, use the ashtray or an empty soda can.
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
  • Wentzville Trash Guide
  • Local Recycling Centers

• Yard Waste Disposal... NEVER put yard waste down storm drains or along stream banks-it causes erosion and pollution. Instead:
  • Mulch grass clippings and leave them lay,
  • Start a compost pile in another area, or
  • Call 639-2035 to sign up for Wentzville's yard waste collection.
• Be Landscape Wise:
  • Limit pesticide and fertilizer use. Apply only the amount recommended on the bottle. To reduce dependence on chemical pesticides, try Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
  • Water Efficient Landscaping
  • Native Landscaping Manual  

      --Rain Gardening for Stormwater Management 

      --Control and Identification of Invasive Species

      --Growing and Propagating Native Plants,

      --Recommended Native Landscapers List, 

      --Nursery Source List for local ecotype seeds and plants 

  • How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel

   

Paint & Household Chemicals:

• Wash latex paint brushes in the sink or toilet, not in the street or storm drain where they drain to local streams and lakes.
• Use Recycle Works to get rid of oil, grease, paint, pool chemicals, batteries, and more!

Pet Waste - Pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste in the toilet or trash. Remember: "Just Doo It!"

Auto Care - Soap, salt, dirt, and oil can end up in the storm drain and then our streams.

• Check for and repair fuel and oil leaks. Clean up spilled auto fluids.
• Go to a car wash or wash your car on the lawn with no phosphorous, biodegradable soap or cleaners. (Car washes dispose soapy water in the sanitary sewer.)

Subdivisions - Inspect and maintain detention/retention basins annually.

• Guide to Retention/Detention Basin Maintenance 
• Inspection Checklist for Lakes & Detention Basins

Septic Systems - Inspect and pump your system every 3-5 years, at a minimum, so it operates properly.

Teach others - help with the Storm Drain Marking Project in your neighborhood. Organize a group and call (636) 639-2055 for info.