Protecting Water Resources

Get Involved. Attend public meetings, participate in the Stormwater Utility Credit Program activities, join a watershed group, or volunteer for local environmental initiatives. The city encourages you to ask questions and find out more! For more information, contact Satoshi Eto.

Everyday Actions Make a Difference:

  • Be Winter Salt Smart. Shovel early and often, before snow becomes icy. Use winter salt sparingly and only when temperatures are above 15°F.
  • Properly dispose of household chemicals, oil, paint, and other hazardous materials—never pour them into storm drains. These materials can be disposed of at the Fairfax County Transfer Station located at 4618 West Ox Road. For more information refer to the Hazardous Waste webpage. or call 703-385-7995.
  • Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste. Animal waste adds harmful bacteria and nutrients to the streams that can be harmful to humans and wildlife. View a map of the pet waste stations in the City of Fairfax.
  • Participate in the Trees, Litter and Creeks Stewardship program. Property owners can earn credit on their SWU fee by participating in litter and debris clean-up, removing invasive plants from the RPA, or by placing stormwater drain markers and monitoring inlets in the public right-of-way.
  • Clean up spills mindfully.  Use absorbent materials like cat litter rather than hosing them away.
  • Report illegal dumping activities to city officials. If you see anyone dumping materials into the storm drain or stream, contact the City of Fairfax Fire Marshal at 703-385-7830 or the Police Department at 703-385-7924.
  • Use less lawn chemicals. Rain events can wash away your fertilizer and pesticides. Do not use chemicals on your lawn before it is expected to rain. Be conservative with pesticides and herbicides (weed killers) and try natural alternatives.
  • Compost leaves, branches and grass clippings. Compost makes great mulch for your garden or flowerbed. Leave grass clippings on the lawn as you mow to return nutrients to your lawn. For more information on composting go to Trash, Composting, and Recycling webpage.

For more Information on environmental issues, refer to the links below: 

Back to top