Ground garbage over burdens your septic tank and slows its functions. Don't use commercial products that claim to clean your septic tank without pumping. These products can cause clogging of your leach field, and may contain chemicals which cab contaminate drinking and lake water. Don't put paint or chemicals into the septic system. These hazardous products kill microorganisms in the septic tank, and can contaminate groundwater.
Detergents Do use non-phosphate detergents.
Phosphate detergents add more phosphorus to the lake and thus contribute to algae growth. Don't wash cars near lakes or streams, or drainage ditches. Runoff containing phosphorus will put phosphorus directly into the water. Runoff should be diverted to vegetated surfaces and allowed to seep into the ground where phosphorus can be removed. Detain in depressions or divert flow to flat, wooded area.