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Fertilizers contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. You can keep your lawn green and solve the pollution problem by taking these easy steps...

• Go slow. Select an organic or slow-release fertilizer. Check the label. A slow release fertilizer has at least half of the nitrogen in water insoluble form. These fertilizers gradually release nitrogen to plant roots. This provides a steady supply of plant nutrients over an extended period of time. Because you need less fertilizer, you will save time and money.
• Buy low or no. Select a fertilizer with low or no phosphorus. Most lawns already contain enough phosphorus. Excess phosphorus is the primary culprit of algae blooms in our rivers, streams and lakes!
• Hire smart. Select a lawn service that uses organic fertilizers or offers a slow-release nitrogen, low or no phosphorus option.
• Mow high. Make your lawn cheaper and easier to maintain by mowing high – three inches is the rule! Tallgrass promotes root growth and shades out weeds. Let short clips fall back on the lawn. Clippings recycle nitrogen back into the soil, so fertilizer can be reduced by 25% or more!
• Sweep it. Fertilizer left on sidewalks and driveways will easily wash into storm drains. So, save money and our lakes, rivers, and streams by sweeping fertilizer back onto the lawn.

Storm drains on campus go directly to the Rouge River. So, if you see a spill/illicit discharge to a campus storm drain; immediately contact Public Safety at 313-593-5333.

Storm Drains are for Rain...

Fertilize sparingly and caringly. Remember, you’re not just fertilizing your lawn.

Storm drains found in our streets and our yards empty into our lakes, rivers and streams. While fertilizer is good for our lawn, unfortunately it’s bad for our water. 

Fertilizer in our lakes and streams cause algae to grow. Large algae blooms form, using up oxygen that fish need to survive. With a majority of the 1.5 million homes in Southeast Michigan fertilizing their lawn, all of us need to be aware of the affects of our lawn care practices.

...not fertilizers.