We All Live in a Watershed! 

A watershed, or river basin, is an area of land that drains into a common stream or waterway. Cary lies within two river basins, the Neuse and Cape Fear River basins. What we do in our watersheds can affect the quality of our water. Learn about the river basin you live in and take action to help prevent stormwater pollution and protect our water quality.

How to Get Involved 

Protecting our waterways is a joint effort! Cary offers many ways for citizens to help keep our streams and surface waters clean.

Report Suspected Stormwater Pollution when you see it happening.

Keep our storm drains clean and clear. Prevent water pollution by following the tips in our video and recommendations below.

Volunteer

• Label storm drains in your area.
• Participate in any of our other environmental programs

• Install a rain garden or wet-loving plants and trees in poorly drained areas.
• Install a rainwater harvesting system; citizens can purchase a rain barrel during our seasonal sale.
• Pick up a soil test box at the Stevens Nature Center and use the Lawn and Garden form to have your soil tested for free by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The analysis provides information to help you fertilize your soil according to plant needs and protects the environment from excess fertilizer application.  
• If you fertilize, hold off before a rainstorm and always sweep excess fertilizer back on the lawn.
• Blow grass clippings back onto the lawn or compost them. Take tips from The Sodfather.
• Set sprinklers to water the landscape only, not hardscapes such as driveways, sidewalks and streets.
• Prevent streambank and backyard erosion.

• Let only rain and allowable discharges (listed above) to go down the drain.
• Correctly dispose of household hazardous waste.
• Recycle used fats, cooking oil and grease(FOG) using our special FOG curbside collection program.

• Pick up pet waste and throw it in the trash (Sec. 6-64 Cary Code of Ordinances)

• Stop by Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, an excellent resource for more information on rain barrels, water gardens and stream buffers. 
• Stroll through the rain garden demonstration at Ed Yerha Park.

• Only flush items that will decompose naturally.
• Never pour grease down the drain.
• Conserve water use.
• Pump the tank out regularly by a licensed contractor.

See North Carolina State University’s Septic System Owners Guide for more information. 

Practice good business
Work in one of these businesses? Take these steps to help prevent stormwater pollution.

• Carpet Cleaning
• Commercial Property
• Food Service
• Landscaping
• Multi-Family Complexes
• Painting 
• Vehicle Repair 

How can I learn more about protecting streams and waterways?

The Town of Cary is a founding partner of the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP), which provides learning materials for teachers, parents and students of all ages.

CWEP has put together a short video that serves as an excellent introduction to the topic. For landscaping tips that beautify your yard, address stormwater, and help keep our waterways healthy, watch the brief Rain It In videos.

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