Environment

• Water
• Nature
• Turfgrass
• Plant Health

Water

An ecological risk assessment is an important part of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) pesticide registration process. The assessment includes a wide range of environmental laboratory and field studies that examine any effects the product may have on animals and plants and the way it interacts with air, soil and water.

To protect and secure our water resources, the EPA oversees and controls the manufacture, use, storage, distribution, or disposal of chemicals that have the potential to effect ground water quality.

One of the most important steps in protecting our water supply is proper use and disposal of all chemicals in our homes, including pesticides and fertilizers. A few tips to follow to help protect our water resources:

• Follow label instructions and never over apply pesticides or fertilizer.
• Only purchase what you will use in a one-time application, so products don't need to be stored or disposed.
• If you do have product leftover after treatment, always be sure to follow the label instructions for storage and disposal of chemicals and their packaging.
• Never pour leftover product down the sink or in a street drain and never reuse pesticide containers.

Properly caring for your lawn can help control runoff into ground water. Research has shown that healthy turfgrass in lawns and other outdoor spaces can help control runoff water by trapping and holding the water until it absorbs back into the soil.