Pesticides
Protecting Tulsa's Water Quality
Sometimes, people pollute our waterways without even knowing it.
When it comes to our urban streams, the more you know, the cleaner
the flow.
Tulsa has two types of sewers: a sanitary sewer that carries
wastewater to a treatment plant and a storm sewer that carries rain
and other runoff directly into our streams. Contaminated runoff,
called nonpoint source pollution, is a major cause of pollution in
Tulsa's waterways. We can reduce the pollution by keeping waste
such as litter, lawn care chemicals, and other waste out of our
sewers.
Pesticide Use Recommendations
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Calibrate your sprayer. Too little pesticide is ineffective and
too much may harm the environment.
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Properly label all mixed solutions with solution name, date and
use information.
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Do not over-water or apply when rain is in the forecast.
Pesticides will wash below the plant roots.
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Do not apply when it is windy.
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Read the product label. Try to use low-toxicity, short-lived
chemicals with low leaching potential to protect groundwater,
streams and lakes.
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Treat your animal, home and yard at the same time. Ask your
veterinarian about new flea and tick control products for pets.
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Do not pour rinse water into the storm sewer. After application,
apply the tank rinse water to the yard.
How to Reduce Pesticide Use
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Landscape for low maintenance and use native plants to aid pest
control.
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Attract birds or bats to your yard. They eat many types of
insects including flies and mosquitoes. For more information,
contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at the
Oklahoma Aquarium, (918) 299-2334.
Proper Disposal
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Cap the empty container, wrap it in newspaper, and promptly put
it in the trash.
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Never pour pesticides into a street gutter or storm sewer.
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Never flush pesticides down an indoor drain or toilet.
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Bring unused pesticides to the next Household Pollutant
Collection Event. For more information, call the Metropolitan
Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) at (918) 584-0584.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Use these biological principles, cultural practices and some
chemicals to control pest populations.
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Select adapted plant materials that are resistant to commonly
occurring pests.
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Select high-quality seed or sod that is free of weeds, insects
and disease.
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Use proper planting and establishing techniques to minimize
perennial weeds and other problems.
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Identify the status and abundance of pests.
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Use mechanical alternatives, such as hand pulling or
cultivation, instead of a pesticide.
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Use spot treatments instead of broadcast applications.
For More Information
The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, 1 (800)
858-7378, is a 24-hour service that provides information about the
health effects of pesticides on humans and animals, and provides
assistance in dealing with pesticide-related emergencies.
Since foreign substances can pollute our waterways and cause
flooding, you should never pour products down a drain, sewer or
manhole. It also is a violation of City ordinance.
Leaves, grease, rags and other litter also cause problems when
they get in our sewers.
Do your part to keep the drainage system clean. If you spot a
blocked drain or suspect illegal dumping of products in the
drainage system, call (918) 596-2100, and an inspector will
investigate.
