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Health Department
Health and Community Services
43525 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5235

What You Can Do To Improve Water Quality

Beach

Lake St. Clair is an important water resource that is used for drinking, recreation and commercial activities. Often our everyday activities can unintentionally contribute to water quality degradation. The following are simple things we all can do to help improve water quality in our lakes, rivers, and streams.

  • Conserve the amount of water you use. Extra water overwhelms sewage treatment plants, especially during heavy rains, and contributes to combined sewer overflows. Excessive water usage can also cause premature failure of septic systems.
  • Make sure that all of the sewage and waste water from your home or business is directed to a sanitary sewer system or an approved and properly functioning onsite septic system.
  • Properly operate and maintain your septic system. Discharges from malfunctioning systems can impact beach water quality. Septic system maintenance information is available from the Macomb County Health Department.
  • Disconnect your gutter downspouts from underground drains and divert the discharge away from your house.
  • Discharge boat or recreational vehicle waste only at approved disposal locations.
  • Properly dispose of household chemicals, automotive fluid waste and other household hazardous waste. Do Not dispose of these types of materials in storm drain catch basins or on the ground surface. Use non-toxic alternatives when possible. Contact the Macomb County Health Department for collection information.
  • When washing cars, direct wash water away from streets and storm drains. Try washing your car on the lawn.
  • Repair vehicles in areas where leaks and spills can not flow to a storm drain, but can be contained and cleaned up properly.
  • Practice proper lawn care. Keep fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide use to a minimum and follow all label directions.
  • Routinely clean up pet waste and properly dispose of it in the garbage.

Questions?

If you have any questions, call us at 586-469-5236, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or E-mail us now.

Other Resources

Great Lakes Information Network - Regional watershed information

http://www.great-lakes.net/

Environmental Protection Agency - Beach standards and national monitoring

http://www.epa.gov/ost/beaches/