Melting snow has the potential to cause problems as a form of stormwater runoff.

In fact, since the ground in the winter is frozen at the surface most of the time, melting snow is more difficult for soil to absorb. This presents a unique flooding challenge that is not associated with light or even moderate rainfall. Also, the presence of environmentally harmful chemicals in de-icing salt makes winter runoff a significant risk to the health of our waterways.

Give these following tips a try this winter in order to maintain your property and help the environment:

• Clear out snow from the area surrounding your downspouts. This will allow melting snow from your roof to flow instead of collecting at your foundation, which can help prevent basement flooding.
• Check to see if your storm drains near your property are covered by snow. Avoid piling snow on storm drains, either by shovel or plow, and clear snow from them if they are covered.
• Pile your shoveled or plowed snow in an area where it is most likely to be absorbed by the ground. For example, piling snow in relatively flat areas and areas that don’t typically pond during rains makes it less likely for melting snow to become runoff.

When’s the last time you’ve cleaned or replaced your faucet aerators? The aerator is located at the end of your water faucet and adds air to your water to reduce splash and the amount of water that flows out of the faucet. They catch some of the silt, minerals, and other debris that flow through your tap water, which can cause a build-up and affect your water quality over time.

Most aerators simply unscrew from the faucet and can then be rinsed off, soaked in white vinegar, scrubbed with a brush, and replaced.