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Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Only Rain Down the Drain
Storm drains are the grates you see along streets and in parking lots. They’re there to collect rainwater and help prevent flooding.
When it rains, water flows off streets and goes straight into our local streams and Puget Sound without being cleaned. If soap, oil, trash, or pet poop goes down the drain, it pollutes the water and hurts fish and wildlife.
🚫 Storm drains are not trash cans! It’s illegal to dump anything into a storm drain (GHMC 14.30)
Let’s keep it clean—only rain down the drain!
Handle Household Hazards the Right Way
Many common products in your home—like paint, cleaners, gasoline, and pesticides—can harm our water and wildlife if they’re not handled properly.
🚫 Never pour them down the drain, into toilets, on the ground, or into storm drains.
These chemicals can pollute streams, poison fish, and even affect drinking water.
✅ Do this instead:
Always follow label instructions.
Store in labeled, leak-proof containers—never in food or drink bottles.
Keep them out of reach of kids and out of the weather.
Dry out latex paint before tossing it in the trash.
Take hazardous items to a proper disposal site (Tacoma Landfill or LRI Landfill).
Click here for more information on how to dispose of your household hazardous waste.
Need help? Call the Hazardous Waste Line at 1-800-287-6429 for safe disposal tips or alternatives to toxic products.
Maintain Your Septic System
Houses that have septic systems can run into problems if it isn't properly maintained. Washing solids, toxics, oils and grease down the sink can cause your septic system to fail and polluted water to leak into groundwater, streams, and ultimately Puget Sound. Inspect your septic system regularly and have it pumped as needed.
Click here for more information.
Note that septic systems are regulated by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.