Here are a few steps to take to assure you are using your deicer properly

Improper disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials is extremely harmful to people, pets, and the environment, and is considered an illicit discharge.  Examples of improper disposal include, but are not limited to: dumping, pouring, or discarding onto grass, into a storm sewer inlet, onto the street, or in or near a body of water. Basically, any disposal of these substances outdoors can be considered an illicit discharge. To properly dispose of household hazardous waste, such as drain cleaner, pool chemicals, aerosol products, paint thinner, and many others, contact the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center at 319-356-5185 to schedule an appointment for disposal.

Here are a few more Good Housekeeping practices

• Always use small amounts of household chemicals and follow the directions on the label.
• Store household chemicals properly in a low traffic area to avoid leaks and spills.
• Never mix household chemicals, and never leave them out where they can be easily spilled.
• If a spill does occur, clean it up immediately.
• Try to use natural or eco-friendly products 

The City wants all residents to take pride in their yard - it is what makes Iowa City such a beautiful place to visit and live. However, many lawncare practices can be detrimental to our local aquatic environment due to improper handling, application, and storage of fertilizers. To help with this, the City has provided the following best practices when handling fertilizer. The City also offers a cost-share program to help reduce the chemical demand of your lawn, increase your yard’s water absorption rate and storage, and reduce water and fertilizer expenses. 

Proper Fertilizer Practices

• Conduct a soil test to determine your fertilizer requirements. Unfortunately, Iowa State labs are no longer accepting soil samples, but they have provided a list of private labs that do. Here is a listing of Iowa Certified Labs provided by Iowa State University.
•  Soil test kits are available for purchase at local stores and on the web, but be sure to research the accuracy of the test kit before purchasing. (It is always best to have a certified lab perform the initial testing.)
• Try to only use P-Free (phosphorus) fertilizers and slow release (water insoluble) nitrogen. This will better disperse nitrogen as your lawn requires it, instead of all at once.
• Check the weather and never spread fertilizer prior to a severe rain event. This will prevent major nutrient loss and damaging environmental impacts.
• Immediately clean-up spills and over-spread on paved surfaces
• Use adequate equipment. Off-target applications can be reduced by using drop spreaders, broadcast spreaders with deflector shields, and only using liquid sprayers on calm (little to no wind) days.
• Best times to fertilize are in the spring, September, and late October/early November according to Iowa State University.
• Leave grass clippings in your yard, allowing the water and nutrients released during decomposition to be absorbed back into the soils.
• Leave a buffer between water bodies, drains, street curbs, drainage ditches, etc.
• According to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach “Spring Lawn Care”, the best time to starting watering is when the grass first displays signs of wilting, at which time you will only want to water an inch per week over one or two-day period. Waiting for the grass to natural wilt encourages root growth, but watering too early or overwatering will prevent this. For more information, please visit Iowa State University Extension and Outreach “Spring Lawn Care”

For additional information regarding when to increase mowing deck height, best time to compost, hints on dealing with patchless areas, etc. visit the Iowa Gardener.

Pesticides

Before applying any type of pesticide (herbicide, insecticide, fungicide) to your lawn or garden, be responsible and do research to understand the potential health and environmental damage it may cause. Many health issues, such as birth defects, reproductive effects, neurotoxicity, liver or kidney damage, and potential disruption of the endocrine system have been linked to certain pesticides.  Pregnant women, infants and children, and the elderly are at greatest risk of complications due to exposure. Children especially, as they are unable to process these toxins due to their body weight and organ development. Household pets and wildlife can also be affected by exposure to treated lawns, which has been found to increase the chances of developing certain types of cancer in animals, and are deadly to bees and birds (pollinators). The local environment, too, will be affected.  Pesticide runoff increases the toxicity of streams and shallow ground water, harming fish and other aquatic organisms.  The information above was collected from the Beyond Pesticides “Lawn Pesticide Facts and Figures” factsheet.

The City has pledged to avoid pesticide use on public land, and encourages residents to follow suit and pledge to be 100% Pesticide-Free. If not, please use pesticides sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

To disposal of used pesticides containers

• Triple rinse the container with water using 10% of the container’s capacity and empty contents into the applicator each time and apply according to the to the label.
• Puncture the recently rinsed container rendering it useable
• Place rinsed and punctured container into the recycling bin or trash bin

Disposal of unused pesticides - Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are considered hazardous material, which unused product requires proper disposal by a certified hazardous waste facility.  Here are a couple of authorized facilities certified to handle household hazardous waste:

• Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center: 3900 Hebl Ave. SE 
• East Side Recycling Center: 2401 Scott Blvd. SE 

Any inappropriate handling or disposal of pesticides or any other hazardous household waste is a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Paint is a serious pollutant and requires proper disposal. Never dispose of old or leftover paint into a storm inlet, street, drainage ditch, creek, etc. Improper disposal of paint into the environment, regardless of whether it is water-based, is an illicit discharge and can result in an Environmental Infraction of $1,000.00.  Here are a few ways to properly dispose of water and oil-based paints:

• Dry out latex paint by mixing in kitty litter, saw dust, or shredded paper until it has a cottage cheese consistency, or for small amounts brush onto cardboard underlined with plastic and allow to dry.  Once dry, dispose into trash receptacle.
• For latex that has separated, pour the clear liquid into a plastic lined cardboard box and mix with an equal amount of cat litter, saw dust, or shredded paper and let dry. The unused paint can be dried out using the other method stated above.

  (SAFETY NOTE: The methods above should be performed in a well-ventilated area, away from an open flame, children, pets, and rain.)

• Always clean/rinse paint brushes in the sink, and never outside.
• Unused paint can be taken to the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center. Drop off hours and instructions using the facility.

Oil-Based Paint, shelf life of 15 years)

Oil-Based Paints are hazardous household waste and should never be poured down drains or placed in the trash even if the paint has solidified.

• Safely clean brushes with a solvent (paint thinner, turpentine and mineral spirits) in an appropriate container over a secondary container to capture any spillage.
  • Used paint thinners, turpentine, and mineral spirits can be reused by pouring it into a clear glass container with an air tight lid. Allow time for the particles to settle out at the bottom of the container. Pour the clear liquid back into its original container. Proper dispose the leftover residue.
• If scraping or high pressure-stripping/exterior washing; protect all open drains (ex. storm inlets, floor drains, field inlets) and sweep up and discard the dry paint into an empty container to be properly disposed at a hazardous waste facility (Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center).
• It is not recommended to leave out numerous cans of oil-based paint to dry out because of a build-up of fumes.
• Unused paint can be taken to the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center. Drop off hours and instructions using the facility.

Lead-Based Paint Removal 

• When renovating or repairing areas suspected of containing lead-based paint, it is always best to hire an EPA Certified Renovation and Lead Dust Sampling Technician Firm to perform the work.

Pet waste is a major concern when it comes to water pollination. Improper disposal (i.e. discarding into storm sewer inlets, leaving it on the ground, sweeping into the street, etc.) is dangerous to the environment and human health, as well as your pets health. 

Pet waste that has been discarded into storm sewer inlets or left uncollected creates unsanitary conditions, not just for the individual property owner, but for the community as a whole. When improperly discarded, snow melt runoff, storm water runoff, and other forms of ground surface transference carry the waste into local streams, ponds, and lakes where it will begin to decompose. Decomposing pet waste releases nitrogen and phosphorous, attracting algae and leading to large-scale algae blooms, which smother the local aquatic plant life. In addition to nitrogen and phosphorus, decomposing pet waste releases ammonia, a chemical compound which depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water and creates an unlivable habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Pet waste can be a serious risk to human health. Pet waste carries pathogens, parasites, and harmful bacteria that are transferrable to adults, children, and animals who come in contact with contaminated runoff.

Pets, kids who play outside, and adults who garden are the most at risk of contracting an illness from contact from improper disposal practices, unsanitary lawn conditions, and flies that can spread disease from animal waste. Below is a list of some of the diseases, harmful bacteria, and parasites that can be transmitted to humans from pet waste:

• Escherichia coli (E.coli) – Most types of E.coli are harmless or cause mild symptoms. There are a few strains of E.coli, however, that can cause a more devasting infection. When infected with these strains, most adults experience mild to moderate discomfort, but children and the elderly are more susceptible to developing life threating complications.
•  Campylobacteriosis – These bacteria can be carried by cats and dogs, and infection in humans frequently causes diarrhea.
• Cryptosporidium – This protozoan parasite is carried by cats, dogs, mice, and other mammals. When transmitted to humans, it commonly causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration, but can be fatal for anyone with a compromised immune system.
• Toxocariasis (roundworm) – Roundworm is usually transmitted from dogs to humans and often without any signs or symptoms. However, in severe cases, this parasite can cause rash, cough, fever, and vision loss.
• Toxoplasmosis (aka "Cat Scratch Fever")– Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans by an infected cat. Symptoms include headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If infected during pregnancy, the parasite can cause birth defects, such as blindness and mental development issues. 

Here are a few ways to properly dispose of pet waste

Key Points:

• It is illegal to discard pet waste into a body of water, drainage ditch, street cub, and storm sewer inlet. Violators can receive a $1,000.00 Environmental Infraction.
• Never use pet waste for composting practices.
• Never dispose of pet waste by burying it near a vegetable garden, a water source, or a drainage way/creek.
• If you leave pet waste to decay in your yard please make sure that it is in an area away from kid’s active areas, wells, storm drains, drainage ditches and water ways.
• Kids are the most frequent victims to disease from pet waste. 

The following basic requirements govern the discharge of water from residential sump pumps:

• Discharges cannot create a public nuisance (ice build-up on streets, hazardous conditions on streets or sidewalks, etc.).
• Discharges cannot be discharged to a sanitary sewer or to a floor drain.

The volume of water that accumulates in sump pits varies significantly from house to house and across the city. Most sump pumps discharge occasionally and more frequently during wet weather, however, in some situations, sump pumps discharge on a regular basis regardless of the weather conditions. Pumps that discharge on a more frequent basis can cause a variety of problems.

In locations with frequent discharges they can create a public nuisance where the water flows across public sidewalks, drives, and streets in-route to the storm sewer or other approved discharge point. Where these discharges result in the growth of algae or mold on sidewalks or streets creating slip hazards to pedestrians and bicyclists. In cold and freezing weather, the discharges can freeze causing ice accumulation creating additional hazards for pedestrians and vehicles.

When the accumulation of ice or algae creates hazards to the public that are not readily dissipated from the normal weather changes, they are considered public nuisances and must be abated within a reasonable period of time.

Potential Solutions

Discharge Point Location

• Direct the discharge to the back yard where it can harmlessly dissipate or soak into the ground. When the back yard has enough slope to provide a drainage swale at the rear of the lot, the sump pump discharge may be extended toward the rear of the lot. The drainage will flow along the drainage swales and dissipate before draining into the street.

Public Storm Sewer System Connection

• When the discharges from sump pumps occur on the same side of the street as the public storm sewer, the property owner (or group of property owners) may extend the sump pump discharge pipes directly into the adjacent drain tile, storm sewer pipe, or nearby intake.
• Note: Any connection to the public storm sewer system must contact the City Engineering Division first for proper approval and permitting.

The City of Iowa City also offers a drain tile program providing a connection point for the sump pump discharge if a public storm sewer is within the vicinity, and the depth of the potential storm structure is low enough to attain proper descent. 

If you would like more information regarding any of these possible solutions and would like suggestions or advice from the City of Iowa City for resolving discharge problems, contact the Engineering Division at 319-356-5140.

It only takes a gallon of engine oil to pollute a million gallons of water. A person adding a quart of oil every month due to a leak will have polluted 3 million gallons in a year’s time. Even just one pint of oil can create an oil slick larger than a football field.

When oil leaks go undetected, the oil deposits on driveways, parking lots, and streets will wash down into the storm sewer system and discharged into local creeks/streams. The Federal EPA has stated that “Used motor oil is the largest single source of oil pollution in our lakes, streams, and rivers.” Because of this fact, anyone disposing of motor oil or any other vehicle fluids into the environment may be issued an Environmental Infraction ranging up to $1000.00 each day the violation remains, and all clean-up cost will be assessed to the violator.

Health Impact

Vehicles fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, coolant/anti-freeze) are toxic to aquatic life, wildlife, and human life. Some of these toxins and trace metals are absorbed by various aquatic life and, when consumed by wildlife and humans, causes severe illness. If you notice your car is leaking fluid, be sure to fix the problem promptly.  Don’t forget to clean up leaked fluids, and instead of rinsing them down using water to wash away the spill, use an oil absorbent material or kitty litter to clean-up the spill, and prevent it from polluting our waterways.

The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center and East Side Recycling Center offer free motor oil disposal. Please follow the steps provided on the Landfill and Recycling webpage under #4. Hazardous Waste, or the East Side Recycling Center webpage under “Oil Recycling”.

To report an illegal discharge of vehicle fluids (oil, antifreeze, etc.) into the environment, please call the Iowa City Stormwater Specialist at 319-356-5158 during regular business hours or 319-631-1144 after hours.

Authorized Free Disposal Site   

It is a violation of Iowa City’s Municipal Code to blow grass clippings from a mower into the street, possibly resulting in the insurance of a municipal infraction.

 Many people unknowingly pollute our local waterways through improper/illegal disposal of yard waste. Grass clippings and leaf debris that have been blown or discarded onto streets enter the storm sewer system through curb inlets and intakes. These materials quickly begin to decompose in pipes, drainageways, and creeks, releasing an excess amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, which creates large-scale algae blooms.  As algae feeds on the nutrient-rich water, it reproduces excessively and kills aquatic plants through sunlight depletion. When the algae itself decomposes, bacteria will consume the dissolved oxygen from the water, leaving a septic and unliveable habitat that affects all local aquatic life.

• Organic Curbside Composting - The Solid Waste Department provides curbside composting pickup to all residents of Iowa City. City residents are encouraged to utilize this service for the disposal of food and yard waste (no pet waste). For additional information and to request an official 25-gallon or 95-gallon organic composting cart, please visit: Residential Curbside Composting.

• At-Home Composting - For residents who like to start their own composting please visit the City’s Composting (Food Waste and Yard Waste) web page for methods and resource material.

• Fall Leaf Pick-up - Every year the Street Division initiates the city-wide Leaf Vacuum Program. For instructions and a pick-up schedule/map, please visit the City’s Leaf Vacuum Program News webpage.