Protecting our environment is a top priority for Hempstead Town. Residents currently enjoy an excellent water quality and with the continued help of everyone living on Long Island, our waterways and groundwater will remain healthy, clean and plentiful.

Storm sewers often transport water directly into the nearest river, lake, stream, wetland or groundwater recharge basin. Nothing but rainwater should enter the storm drains. However, storm water often contains pollutants found on streets and parking lots such as oil, pet wastes and fertilizers. When these materials enter water, they can cause damage to the environment.

Although each storm sewer inlet contributes only a small number of pollutants, when added together, pollution concentrations often exceed healthy limits. If the pollutants entering each of these inlets can be reduced, so will the pollution in area waterways and groundwater.

Together we can limit the contamination of local waterways and groundwater by taking the following steps:

Avoid accumulating soil, leaves, or grass clippings on your driveway, sidewalk or street. When it rains, these materials will wash into the nearest storm sewer.

Fixing an oil leak on your vehicle reduces the amount of oil and petroleum products that enter our waterways. One quart of oil can contaminate up to two million gallons of drinking water.

Cleaning up after your pet keeps harmful bacteria from entering waterways.

Refrain from dumping automotive fluids, paints, pesticides or other materials down the storm sewer.

You can dispose of your hazardous materials at the town's next S.T.O.P (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) Program on Sunday, May 23 at Newbridge Road Park Garage in South Bellmore. Collection hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. S.T.O.P. enables residents to safely dispose of hazardous household wastes at convenient locations throughout the town. Many town residents have taken advantage of our S.T.O.P days to discard hazardous household items that could be potentially harmful to our environment if not disposed of properly. By separating hazardous materials from household trash, we all do our part to ensure that our beaches, bays, estuaries and water supply are protected from contaminants.

By taking part in this town program and properly disposing of your household hazardous wastes, you are protecting our precious drinking water. Keeping our delicate ecosystem clean has benefits that will be enjoyed by future generations.