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Use starter fluid alternatives

Using a metal cylinder charcoal chimney starter or an electric charcoal lighter is better for air quality than using starter fluid. Starter fluid is a mixture of highly flammable, volatile chemicals including butane, propane, and diethyl ether. When combustion occurs, the fumes are released into the atmosphere and breathed in by people around the grill. Health effects can include loss of vision, severe throat and esophagus pain, vomiting, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.

Reduce light waste and pollution emitted by outdoor lighting

The best way to reduce outdoor light waste and pollution is to turn off lights when not in use, reduce your number of outdoor lights, or install motion sensors. For the lighting that you need, you can reduce glare by positioning adjustable lights downward, reduce spillover by installing fully shielded lights, and reduce sky glow by installing fixtures that have the light bulb tucked into the luminary housing.

Ineffective lighting creates nuisances and safety hazards for the community, drivers, and aviators. In addition, wildlife can experience disorientation from excess illumination and are attracted to or repulsed by glare, which affects foraging, reproduction, communication, and other critical behaviors. To learn more, check out this article on light pollution or watch this light pollution video.

De-chlorinate your swimming pool before discharging the water

Chlorinated water can cause serious harm to surrounding waterways by killing aquatic life. Pool water can be de-chlorinated by uncovering your pool, halting the addition of chlorine for about 10 days, and testing for chlorine before discharging. You can also chemically de-chlorinate your pool. When pool water is discharged, it should enter the sanitary sewer system, not the stormwater system. Learn more about proper de-chlorination and discharge techniques.

Use a carwash instead of washing your car at home

Washing your car at home rather than taking it to a car wash can actually be much more harmful to the environment. Washing a car at home tends to use 80 to 140 gallons of water, as compared to a commercial car wash which uses about 45 gallons. Many car washes even have water recycling systems which significantly reduce their water usage. If you do wash your car at home, minimize harmful effects by using phosphate-free soap and washing your car on the grass rather than the driveway. Phosphate is a nutrient that can run directly into drainage inlets connecting to the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen. Washing your car in the grass helps to minimize run-off of gasoline, oil, and exhaust fumes from your car.

To learn more, check out this article on eco-friendly car washing.

Pick up litter in your neighborhood

Not only is litter unpleasant to the eye, it also degrades water quality and endangers wildlife. Recycle the materials you pick up when possible, and ask your family, friends, and neighbors not to litter.

Report illicit discharges and water quality problems in your neighborhood

The EPA defines an illicit discharge as anything discharged into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Exceptions to this rule include water from fire fighting activities and discharges by facilities under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Unlike wastewater which is treated before release, illicit discharges enter surface waters without any treatment, often containing pathogens, nutrients, surfactants, and toxic pollutants. Learn more about illicit discharges.

If you spot an illicit discharge in your community, report it by calling the Frederick County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources at 301.600.1413. If the situation is an emergency, call 911.

Check your own property for potential run-off issues. Make sure that all wastewater leaving your property enters either the sanitary sewer or your septic system. Rainwater is the only type of water that should enter your storm drains or run off of your property.