Help Protect the Bay

Tips for Protecting Casco Bay

We know that healthy water only comes through each of us doing our part. Some practical ways to help protect the Bay include:

In the home and garden
▪ Dispose of chemicals properly – not down a storm drain, which can empty directly into the ocean. More info on how to dispose of: household hazardous waste and pesticides.

▪ Select less toxic household cleaning alternatives or use non-toxic substitues.

▪ Practice ecological landscaping and gardening.
▪ Conserve water.

▪ Maintain your septic system, if you have one, so pollutants don't leak into groundwater. Learn about how septic systems work and how to keep them working.

▪ Have your furnace, wood burning stove, and chimney checked and cleaned annually so they operate as cleanly as possible. This reduces airborne pollution that can end up in the ocean.

On the water and around town

▪ Practice clean boating techniques and empty marine sewage at pumpout facilities. To minimize gray water pollution, take fewer showers on board and use biodegradable soaps. Click here for a boating season checklist.

▪ Use reusable shopping bags. If you need inspiration to go plastic-free, check out this slideshow.
▪ Ensure your car is well tuned to run at peak efficiency to reduce air pollution. When purchasing a new car, opt for one with high gas mileage.
▪ Report pollution to the authorities.

A great way to help protect the Bay is to donate and support Friends of Casco Bay's work. We’d also love for you to get involved as a volunteer.

Helpful Links:
EPA’s Home and Lawn Care Checklist – take a quiz to find out if your household is eco-friendly.

Bureau of Land & Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Homeowner’s page – get info on water safety, clean boating, fish consumption advisories, septic systems, and more.