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.
