Put in the time. Do the research. Follow through.

Don’t let the actions of others pollute our local waterways. If you see silt or debris entering a street drain, contaminants entering a stream, a failing silt fence on a construction site, or any other disturbance you believe is contaminating our local waters, call the municipality where it is happening or La Crosse County. Be proactive. Make a phone call.

City of La Crosse 608-789-7536

City of Onalaska 608-781-9530

Village of Holmen 608-526-6308

City of La Crescent 507-895-2037

Town of Onalaska 608-790-2800

La Crosse County 608-785-9867

Town of Campbell 608-783-0050

Village of West Salem 608-786-1858

Town of Holland 608-526-3354

Village of Shelby 608-788-1032

Educate yourself and become part of the solution. Simple changes reduce polluted runoff to La Crosse area waters.

Start Today

Wash your vehicle in the grass or at a car wash

Park your car in the yard so the water can soak in and be naturally filtered. Better yet, take your car to a car wash where the wastewater is treated.

Keep grass and leaves out of the street

Yard waste in streets eventually ends up in a local river. It brings nitrogen with it and clouds water, reduces stream depth and damages habitat.

Pick up pet waste

Clean up pet waste often at home to avoid harmful bacteria soaking into the ground water. When walking your dog, put their waste in a plastic bag, and in the garbage.

Stop using salt in winter

When removing ice from driveways and sidewalks, use a calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) deicer. This is about as corrosive as tap water, safe for concrete, biodegradable and requires fewer applications.

Plan ahead

Shape land to soak up water

Build a rain garden, biofilter, or berm to capture and soak up water from downspouts, roofs, streets, parking lots, sidewalks and driveways before it can move pollutants to streams.

Plant native trees and plants

Trees and deep rooted native plants keep soil in place, absorb water and help rain soak into the soil. This prevent erosion and holds runoff. They also come back year after year.

Capture water

Rainwater and snowmelt move soil, sand and pollutants to streams. Capture water in rain barrels, rain gardens, cisterns and ponds. Use it in your garden or home.

Minimize hard surfaces

Roofs, patios and driveways move water fast, carrying soil, sand and pollutants to streams. Pave less. When you do pave, use gravel, stone, well-spaced bricks, or porous pavers, concrete, or asphalt.