Stormwater Tips
REMEMBER: The North Andover storm drain system does not provide any treatment for the removal of pollutants; anything that enters the system eventually reaches our waterways.
- Don’t dump anything into storm drains—dispose of hazardous waste through North Andover’s ongoing waste oil collection program and bi-annual hazardous waste collection day.
- If you see a suspicious discharge to a water body or storm drain (catch basin, slotted manhole), contact North Andover’s Conservation Commission at (978) 688-9530.
- Personal property should not be connected to the storm drain system (i.e. laundry hookups or septic systems).
- Divert runoff from pavement to grassy, planted, or wooded areas of your property.
- Pick up litter or pet waste – waste ends up in our streams either directly or through storm drains.
- Reduce fertilizer and pesticide use or toxicity. When mowing the lawn, mulch lawn clippings to provide a natural fertilizer.
- When watering your lawn, don’t over-spray. Water that runs off sidewalks and roadways carries contaminants (oil, grease, and metals) into the drain system.
- When washing your car, use phosphate free, non-petroleum based cleaning agents.
- Sweep up salt and sand on your walkways after snowmelt. Don’t hose down driveways or sidewalks.
- Inspect your vehicles & equipment for leaking and damaged parts.
- Get involved in your local watershed association (Parker River Clean Water Association, Ipswich River Watershed Association, Merrimack River Watershed Council, etc.)