1. Conserve Water

• Turn off water while shaving, doing dishes, and brushing your teeth.
• Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.
• Check for leaks around your toilet.
• Install water-saving faucets, toilets, and shower heads.

2. Avoid Toxic Household Products

• Bring hazardous products (such as paints, auto fluids, and swimming pool chemicals) to designated collection facilities so they can be disposed properly. Most towns and cities offer drop-off days for household hazardous wastes.
• Instead of toxic household cleaners, use natural and homemade cleaning products made from everyday products like baking soda and vinegar.
• Choose non-toxic options for clogged drains like a plumbing snake or a homemade drain cleaner.

3. Check Your Septic System

• Pump out your septic system every two to three years to avoid sludge buildup. Have your system checked each year for problems that can lead to pollution.
• Replace your septic system or cesspool with one that removes nitrogen. Traditional septic systems are the biggest source of nitrogen pollution to Buzzards Bay.

4. Keep Drains Clear

• Never pour medications or toxic chemicals down the drain. Don’t flush them, either. They will end up directly in our waterways.
• Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down your drain. They clog pipes and ruin wastewater treatment plants. Instead, pour grease and cooking oil into a disposable container, allow it to harden, and then throw it away.
• Avoid using a garbage disposal. Like grease and cooking oil, food scraps can clog pipes and make wastewater treatment harder. Instead, try composting your kitchen food scraps.
• Never flush household cleaning items like paper towels, cotton balls, baby wipes, and dental floss. These items can all lead to major clogs and costly repairs at wastewater treatment plants.

5. Prepare Local Seafood

• Locally caught seafood helps our economy and our environment. When you buy seafood, choose fish, quahogs, and oysters from Buzzards Bay.
• Try catching your own seafood! Go fishing or shellfishing, and you can bring home a feast for your family and friends to enjoy.