 Clean Lake Tips for all of us
Water comes to Lake Champlain from many sources. It flows over mountains, through pristine forests, into wetlands and rivers. It passes through farm fields, residential yards, small towns and large cities. It runs over streets, into storm drains, and through wastewater treatment plants. Who is responsible for the water that nearly two hundred thousand people use every day, for swimming, fishing, boating, and drinking water? We all are!
The Lake Champlain Committee offers these Clean Lake Tips to everyone in the Lake Champlain Basin - elected officials, policy makers, pet owners, businesses, citizens, visitors, farmers, boaters, and anglers. Only the thoughtful actions of many committed people will keep our Lake the cleanest it can be.
And online, people around the world can use these tips to keep their lakes clean!
Here's What You Can Do:
* Reduce your pollution contribution
In your home, in your yard, in your business, and in your community, be creative about ways you can decrease pollution in Lake Champlain.
* Choose and use non-toxic alternatives
Encourage merchants to offer non-toxic products in the stores where you shop. Use non-toxic alternatives and recipes (they are often cheaper).
 * Store and dispose of all toxic products properly
If you must use toxic materials, never dump them in the trash or pour them down the drain! They can kill aquatic organisms and ruin drinking water (as well as swimming and fishing). Learn which products contain toxic materials. For information on household hazardous products (and disposal options) call 1-800-932-7100 in Vermont, or 1-518-897-1241 in New York.
* Strive for lake-friendly design
Design your home and lifestyle with Lake Champlain in mind. Landscape to filter surface runoff. Improve drainage in your yard to encourage infiltration of runoff into the soil. Design your home to
decrease the need for toxics, phosphates, and pesticides.
* Get involved
Make the decision to be a part of the solution! Clean water in Lake Champlain depends on your actions, no matter who you are. Make a commitment to do your part. Every step is a step towards cleaner water.
Keep the Lake Clean in Your Household
Many household products kill aquatic organisms, are harmful to humans, taint drinking water, and ruin fishing and swimming. The Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act both require that household containers of hazardous products be labeled with warning statements and safety information. To prevent these products from entering the Lake:
* Read the label.
Choose less toxic alternatives such as water-based paints and preservatives and earth pigment finishes. Use mechanical methods (such as scrubbing) over chemical methods whenever possible to avoid the need for toxic products. Use non-hazardous store-bought products that are phosphate free and biodegradable or homemade cleaners.
* If you have to buy toxic products, buy no more than you need.
Don't wash toxic products down the drain (see the Hazardous Waste Section for a list of what to avoid); ask your state hazardous materials specialist about the toxicity of any material.
* Use the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
Dishwasher detergents contain high phosphate levels! Although not toxic, excessive amounts of phosphates can lead to algae blooms, fish kills, and poor drinking water.
 * Avoid using household pesticides.
Use equal parts of boric acid and powdered sugar to keep roaches away; use cedar chips instead of moth balls; use chili powder to prevent ant infestations. Discourage insects by using good housekeeping practices; keep windows and doors air-tight, seal cracks and keep food and water in sealed containers.
* Choose toilet paper that is dye-free and fragrance-free.
* Donate unused paint, cleaners, and hobby supplies to those who need them.
* Recycle
light bulbs containing mercury such as fluorescent bulbs
(mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin for wildlife and people); call your state recycling hotline to find out about the next collection program.
Keep the Lake Clean from Your Yard
Many lawn and landscaping practices effect water quality. To help keep the Lake clean:
* Mow grass with a sharp blade and never mow more than one third of grass height during one cut. Leave grass clippings on the yard to provide nutrients to the lawn.
* Plant native species - most require less fertilizer and less watering.
* Landscape with native plants to control erosion on slopes.
* Compost organic matter by recycling leaves, grass clippings and organic kitchen scraps to make fertilizer.
* Keep plants healthy by improving soil quality with peat moss, bone meal, and compost.
* Maintain a healthy vegetated buffer along the river or lake (the wider the better), if you live along a shoreline.
* Use pest control alternatives that are safe for all of us such as insecticidal soaps and dormant oil sprays. Time plantings to avoid peak insect infestations. Use mulch. Plant pest repellent plants such as marigold, mint and garlic. Rotate your garden crops. Hand pick insect pests early each morning. Spray plants with water from a hose every 3 days for 9 days to knock off aphids and spider mites and interrupt their egg cycle.
 * Use only half the prescribed amount of fertilizer (if you must use it at all). Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground or before or during a rainstorm (fertilizer is a major source of phosphate, which is harmful to the Lake in excessive amounts). After use, avoid
over watering so that the fertilizer doesn't runoff into a nearby stream or storm drain.
* When draining your swimming pool remember to take full advantage of the filtering capacity of the soil. Chlorine will volatilize from water if you let it set for a few days or a week before draining a pool. Chlorine is highly toxic to aquatic life - prevent it from contaminating nearby streams or storm drains!
Keep the Lake Clean from Your Boat and Car
Many products and activities associated with boats and cars are harmful to the Lake. To make sure these are minimized:
* Use phosphate-free soap and detergent.
Rinse and scrub your boat with a brush after each use - this decreases the amount of soap you use. Avoid products that remove stains and make your car or boat shine - they can be extremely toxic. Products with warnings on the label can kill aquatic life if washed overboard or into waterways.
* Use less toxic, propylene glycol-based anti-freeze rather than ethylene glycol-based anti-freeze (check vehicle warranty).
* Recycle or dispose of harmful vehicular fluids by taking them to hazardous waste collection centers.
* Use non-toxic cleaners for your boat whenever possible.
Choose less toxic paint, and anti-fouling compounds. Use only what you need; dispose of properly by taking to hazardous waste collection centers.
* Be cautious when adding fuel, don't overfill or spill it!
* Don't dump human or pet waste into the Lake!
* Drive less - cars pollute!
Carpool, bike, run, or roller-blade to work. The average car emits 800 pounds of pollution into the air each year, and much of this finds its way into the Lake.
Keep the Lake Clean in Your Business Life
Businesses play a big role in keeping the Lake clean. To help with this effort:
* Educate your employees and co-workers about Clean Lake Tips.
* Make sure the businesses you work with dispose of wastes properly.
* Ask other businesses to adopt Clean Lake practices.
* Ask merchants to carry products that are ecologically safe.
* Shop at places that encourage protection of the Lake.
Keep the Lake Clean in Your Community
No matter what community you live in, to help keep the Lake clean you can:
 * Clean up pet waste and flush down a toilet.
Pet wastes are a source of pathogens and phosphates which are both harmful to the Lake.
* Teach your friends and elected officials about actions that will help keep Lake Champlain clean.
* Urge your town to adopt Clean Lake practices.
* Encourage the maintenance of wide, vegetated buffers along lake and river shores.
* Request that your town eliminate or minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides, especially in areas close to rivers and lakes.
* Encourage the use of porous asphalt in your community to increase the absorption ability.
* Donate products to friends, neighbors, or community groups instead of throwing them out.
Some Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous waste is any material that poses a risk to people or the environment when disposed of improperly. Federal laws do not cover hazardous materials generated in American homes from consumer products. Many household products are harmful if used or disposed of improperly. They contain chemicals that are toxic (poisonous) and or caustic (causing burns) to people, plants and animals. Some of these products are toxic in small amounts, other can accumulate to very toxic levels in the environment. The continuous accumulation of small amounts of toxic substances can create significant problems over time. Since there is little regulation of the disposal of these products, it is up to each one of us to clean up our own contribution of hazardous waste.
* Avoid cleaning products containing lye, petroleum distillates, naphthas, trichloroethane, phenols, dichlorobenzene often found in car cleaners, deodorizers, household cleaners, polishes and spot removers.
* Avoid herbicides and pesticides; these products can be deadly to birds, insects and aquatic life.
* Avoid paint thinners and strippers, lacquers, brush cleaners, turpentine and wood preservative products that contain toxicants such as lead (in old paint), methyl-chloride, pentachlorophenol, toluene and trichloroethane. These substances are highly toxic to people and animals.
Some Non-Toxic Recipes to Keep You and Your Environment Healthier
 AIR FRESHENERS
Set out vinegar or baking soda in an open dish. Simmer whole spices or potpourri in water on stove. Burn scented candles.
BATHROOM CLEANER (General Use)
Use a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water.
CARPET CLEANER
For fresh stains pour on a little club soda, let stand, sponge up. For older stains, mix 2 tablespoons dishwashing detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Work into stain and blot as dry as possible.
COPPER CLEANER
Use ketchup to clean and remove tarnish from copper.
DRAIN CLEANER
Pour 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda followed by a kettle of hot water down the drain. Use a plunger or metal snake.
FURNITURE POLISH
Mix 1 part lemon juice with one part olive or vegetable oil. Let stand for several hours and then polish.
GLASS CLEANER
Mix 3 parts water with 1 part vinegar.
LAUNDRY BLEACH
Use 1/2 cup either baking soda, Borax or white vinegar.
LIGHT-DUTY CLEANER
Use a combination of 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap,
1 teaspoon Borax to clean counters, floors, etc.
OVEN CLEANER
Wipe up spills soon after they occur with a paste of baking soda, salt, and water.
RUG CLEANER
Sprinkle cornstarch on rug and vacuum off.
SCOURING MIXTURE
Rub area with baking soda or table salt on a wet sponge.
TOILET BOWL CLEANER
Use a toilet brush with baking soda or pour 1/4 cup Borax or 2 Vitamin C tablets into water and let stand overnight before flushing.
TUB AND SINK CLEANER
Rub with lemon. For bad stains make a paste of peroxide and cream of tartar; scrub with a small brush.
UPHOLSTERY CLEANER
Mix 1/2 cup mild detergent with 2 cups boiling water. Cool until a jelly forms. Whip with hand beater for stiff foam.
Produced by the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) in the interest of a clean Lake with financial support from the Jane B. Cook Charitable Trust, the Kelsey Trust, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and the Threshold Foundation.
Help clean up our act by following these Clean Lake tips and joining the Lake Champlain Committee, the only citizens' group dedicated to protecting Lake Champlain's health.
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