• Be our eyes and ears and report illegal dumping in storm drains, streams, or open spaces via Alex311
• Participate in stream and neighborhood cleanups, local stream restoration, invasive species removal, and planting projects
• Start a storm drain marking program in your neighborhood
• Join or support a local environmental group or "friends of" group
• Check out the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners
• Educate your family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of protecting local water resources En Español

• Visit the City's  Resource Recovery & Recycling page for more ideas of things you can do around your  home or at  work. 

• Test your soil.  Know how much fertilizer to use and don’t over fertilize. Or better yet, don’t fertilize at all if it isn’t necessary!  
• Never fertilize or use pesticides if it is going to rain within 24 hours.  Fertilizers and pesticides can end up in streams and harm aquatic life.
• Select slow release or insoluble fertilizers, and always read and follow the instructions on the fertilizer and pesticide packaging. 
• Ask your lawn care company to fertilize with care.
• Don't blow grass clippings and leaves in the street or down a storm drain, mulch grass clippings instead.  Leaves and lawn clippings washed into the streams decompose, creating food for algae in the water.  
• Plant a tree.  Trees use nutrients and can prevent those nutrients from entering our streams.  Their roots also hold the soil in place, which helps prevent erosion.
• Landscape using plants on slopes, especially if you live near stream banks, to help prevent erosion.
• Don't connect downspouts to the storm sewer system or onto paved surfaces.  Instead, allow your downspouts to drain onto your lawn. 
• Prior to draining pool water, remove any chlorine and bromine with removal agents or allow the water to sit for at least 10 days, test the pH, and remove solids from the water. Draining to the sanitary sewer or a slow release to a grassy surface is best.
• When watering, avoid watering onto paved surfaces.
• Use plants that are native to the area and more resistant to drought.
• Use a rain barrel to capture roof runoff during storms and use that water to irrigate your lawn.  Please visit the rain barrel page to learn more about rain barrels. 
• Don't dump oil or other materials into the storm drain and get your car serviced responsibly. En Español. 
• Drop off your household hazardous waste and not in your garbage or in storm drains. Learn more about the household hazardous waste drop off center.
• Restaurants and Food Services Best Management Practices for stormwater
• Choose lawn care companies that practice best management practices for stormwater
• Lawn Care Best Management Practices for Lawn Care Companies

• Failure to pick up dog waste on public property is subject to a $100 fine (City Code§5- 7 -46).
• In 2023, the City initiated a "Poop Fairy" Yard Sign campaign. Contact the City's Stormwater Management Division at stormwater@alexandriava.gov to pick up your free yard sign available in limited quantities available to Alexandria residents first come, first served.
• The City has several managed dog exercise areas.  For more information or locations, please contact the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities or visit the  Dogs in Alexandria webpage.
• Visit the Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners page to learn more. 
• Download the Pet Waste brochure

Download the field guide (114 pages) and the field journal (114 pages), both developed by and used with permission by Fairfax County, Virginia. The field guide includes educational information on plants and animals and the field journal includes activities to help youth learn more about stormwater and the environment as well as space for their unique observations. Please contact the Watershed Education and Outreach section at watersheds@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-5500, TTY 711 for more information.

Visit the One Water Partnership webpage for fun, family-focused activities about water resources.