5 Ways You Can Help Stop Lily Pads on Quarton Lake

Birmingham city officials will seek the public's input about how to combat the lily pad takeover of Quarton Lake this summer at the next Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board meeting Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Department of Public Services office. 

A few options to address the problem will be discussed. In the meantime, the city recommends the following ways residents can help by paying closer attention to the amount of sediment, yard waste, and chemicals from vehicles that enter storm drains flowing directly to the lake:

Sweep it 

Extra fertilizer, grass clippings, or dirt on the driveway should be swept back onto the lawn. Hosing off driveways sends these pollutants into storm drains that lead to our lakes and streams.

Keep it clean

Whether in the street or in your yard, keep leaves, grass clippings, trash, and fertilizers out of storm drains.

Only rain in the drain

Never dump motor oil, chemicals, pet waste, dirty or soapy water, or anything else down the storm drain.

Leave a buffer

If you live along the lake or river, maintain a 15’ no-mow, chemical-free vegetative buffer along the waterway. This will prevent excess fertilizers, herbicides, and other pollutants from entering the waterway that cause nuisance vegetation to grow.  Installing flowers and plants that are native to Michigan with in-depth root systems is recommended. Do not place yard wastes, fertilizers, or composting sites near the water.

Hire Earth-friendly contractors

If you hire a lawncare contractor, consider a provider registered in the Michigan Green Industry Association (MGIA) ‘Healthy Lawn Care Program for Watershed Protection’.  There are several lawncare providers in the local area that provide no-mow buffers, earth-friendly fertilizers, and soil testing.