Resources for Residents

The Town of Boxborough is doing its part to manage stormwater. However, everyone living in Boxborough can help manage stormwater and prevent water pollution. The following practices will help reduce the volume of stormwater created and help prevent pollutants from coming in contact with stormwater.

• Only rain down the drain. Never dump anything down a storm drain. Anything dumped down a storm drain, such as chemicals, oil, etc. will eventually end up in a local water body.
• Reduce the amount of runoff from your property. Plant rain gardens, reduce the amount of impervious surfaces, or install a rain barrel. Learn more about What You Can Do to Soak Up the Rain.
• Disconnect roof leaders. Direct roof leaders onto pervious surfaces and away from walkways and driveways so that stormwater can infiltrate into the ground. Better yet, build a rain garden! Learn more about Rain Gardens (PDF).
• Pick up pet waste and flush it down the toilet. Learn more about Being a Yard Hero (PDF) and Doing Your "Doody" for Clean Water (PDF).
• Take care of your septic system. Have your septic tank pumped and inspected at least once every two or three years. Plant only grass over your drain field to avoid damage from roots and do not park or drive on it. Only put washwater and wastewater down the drain; don’t dump excessive chemicals, medications, food, or household products into your system. Learn more about What You Can Do as a Citizen (PDF).
• Practice good lawn care techniques. Leave lawn clippings on the ground, as they decay, they provide a natural fertilizer to the ground. Piles of old grass clippings can cause nutrients and bacteria to enter water bodies. Clean up leaves in the fall to keep them out of water bodies. Learn more about Being a Leaf Hero (PDF).
• Minimize water usage to conserve water. Create a compost pile or bin to use as localized fertilizer but keep it away from wetlands and water bodies. Learn more!
• Plant native and drought tolerant species. They require less water and vegetate bare spots in your yard to minimize erosion of soils into local waters.
• Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly to minimize water quality impacts. Fertilizers contain nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen that can cause too much plant growth such as algae in water bodies. This can lead to problems with boating, fishing, shellfish harvesting and swimming. Learn more about Fertilizing Your Lawn (PDF).
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface. This will minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain and/or water body. Learn more!
• Handle chemicals properly. If you spill oil or other substances on a road or driveway, immediately clean up and properly dispose of materials. Learn more about Car Washing.
• Take care with swimming pool water. Don’t discharge into a storm drain or water body. If discharging onto the ground first dechlorinate water. Learn more by checking out the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Guide for Homeowners (PDF).