Government agencies, utilities, and hardware stores have information about different products that help households conserve water. Household Management Learning to limit NPS pollution at the household level can reduce the overall impacts of NPS pollution on water quality. Households, for example, can irrigate during cooler hours of the day, limit fertilizer applications to lawns and gardens, and properly store chemicals to reduce runoff and keep runoff clean. Chemicals and oil should not be poured into sewers, where they can result in major water quality problems. Pet wastes, a significant source of nutrient contamination, should be disposed of properly.
Households can also replace impervious surfaces with more porous materials.
Public Meetings and Hearings Decisions made during public hearings on stormwater permitting and town planning can determine a community's capability to manage NPS pollution over the long term. Laws or regulations may require federal, state, or local agencies to hold public hearings when permits are issued or when town plans are formed. Notices about hearings often appear in the newspaper or in government office buildings. Community Organizations Many communities have formed groups to protect local natural resources. These community-based groups provide citizens with information about upcoming environmental events in their watershed, such as ecological restoration, volunteer monitoring, and public meetings.