Keeping Our River Clean and Healthy with Professor Clearwater

It may be hard to believe, but your everyday actions do impact water quality in Lima. By following these quick tips from Professor Clearwater, you can positively impact water quality and help keep the Ottawa River clean and healthy. Watch the videos and click on the links below to learn more. 

Protect Storm Drains

Storm drains are connected to the river. This means that whatever enters storm drains, will eventually end up in the river.

To learn more about storm drains and how you can help click here.

Join the Adopt-A-Roadway Program

Gather a few friends and make a difference. By joining the Adopt-A-Roadway Program you can help keep trash off our street and out of our rivers. 

To learn more about Adopt-A-Roadway and how to get involved click here.

Install a Rain Barrel

Save money and improve water quality by installing a rain barrel. The water for a rain barrel can be used to water your lawn, garden, or flower bed. 

To learn more about rain barrels click here. 

Use "Green" Lawn Care Practices

You can have a lush, green lawn without toxic chemicals entering stormwater and being carried to the river.

​To learn more about "green" landscaping practices click here. 

Add Native Plants to Your Lawn

Native plants are well adapted to our soils and climate. This means they require less watering and less fertilizing. 

To learn more about native plants and how they benefit our water resources click here.

Pickup After Your Pets

Pet waste is not only a nuisance to your neighbors, it also is a main contributor to poor water quality. 

To learn more about properly disposing of pet waste click here. 

Prevent Litter in Your Community

Trash in streets becomes trash in streams. Prevent trash from becoming litter, and keep our river clean and healthy.

To learn more about how to prevent litter
​click here. 

Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste Responsibly

Household hazardous wastes are items in your home which are flammable, corrosive, or toxic. Some of the most common hazardous wastes are paint, oil, and medication. 

To learn how to dispose of these items properly click here.