Think Blue Connecticut River

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a blue background featuring the headline “Sweep, Don't Wash” and subheader “Dry cleanup prevents runoff pollution.” A close-up photograph shows a large push broom with green bristles sweeping dirt, leaves, and debris from a concrete surface. The Think Blue Connecticut River logo appears in the upper right corner, while a call to protect water quality and the website ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org are displayed at the bottom.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a navy blue and light blue background. The headline reads “Keep Dumpsters Covered.” Text explains how open or leaking dumpsters can allow polluted water to enter storm drains and encourages keeping lids closed, proper waste storage, and prompt spill cleanup. On the right, an overflowing green dumpster is covered by a red prohibition symbol. The graphic includes the website ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org and a call to protect water quality.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a blue background featuring the headline “Fix Leaks Fast” and subheader “Small drips become big pollution.” An illustration shows a mechanic working under the hood of a white car with tools nearby. Text explains that oil, antifreeze, and other vehicle fluids can wash into storm drains during rainstorms. It encourages promptly cleaning up spills and repairing leaks to protect streams and rivers. The Think Blue Connecticut River logo appears in the upper left corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a blue background and orange accents. The headline reads “Scoop the Poop,” followed by “Pet waste belongs in the trash. Not in our waterways.” On the right, a photograph shows a park sign reminding visitors to leash their dogs, clean up pet waste, and keep the area clean. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears alongside a call to protect water quality and the website ThinkBlueConnecticutRiver.org.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a navy blue background and orange accents. The headline reads “Don't Waste Leaves, Compost Them!” with the subheader “Turn autumn yard waste into nutrient-rich soil.” Three steps—Collect, Compost, and Protect—appear alongside leaf, compost bin, and storm drain icons. A photo of fallen leaves in a green compost bin appears on the right. The Think Blue Connecticut River logo and website are also displayed.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a navy blue and light blue background. The headline reads “Septic Care Protects Water,” followed by “Routine maintenance prevents pollution.” An illustration shows a septic service worker holding a hose beside a pumping truck and open septic access points. Text explains how failing septic systems can contaminate groundwater and waterways and encourages regular inspections, pumping, and responsible water use. The Think Blue Connecticut River logo and website appear at the bottom.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a navy blue background, orange accents, and decorative leaf illustrations. The headline reads “Fall Colors. Clean Waters.” with the subheader “Keep leaves out of streets and storm drains.” Text encourages mulching leaves to return nutrients to lawns and composting them into nutrient-rich soil. A photo on the right shows yellow and orange autumn leaves resting on a storm drain grate. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo and website appear at the bottom.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring automotive fluid being poured from a plastic container into an engine compartment. The headline reads “Clean Shop. Cleaner Water.” with the subheader “Auto fluids belong in proper storage.” A light blue text box explains how oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and other automotive chemicals can pollute storm drains and encourages proper storage, spill cleanup, and safe disposal. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo and website are included.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring a commercial restaurant kitchen with stainless steel equipment and overhead lighting. A blue overlay displays the headline “Keep Grease Out of Drains” and explains how grease, food scraps, and wash water can clog storm systems and pollute waterways. The graphic encourages maintaining grease traps, proper waste disposal, and keeping liquids out of storm drains. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo and website appear at the bottom.

ALT MS4 educational graphic with a light blue background featuring the headline “Stop Erosion Before It Starts” and subheader “Keep soil out of storm drains.” A photograph shows erosion control blankets secured with wooden stakes over exposed soil, surrounded by vegetation. Bottom text encourages using mulch, plants, erosion blankets, or barriers to prevent sediment pollution in local waterways. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the upper-right corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Disconnect Your Downspout” and subheader “Keep roof runoff out of storm drains.” A photograph on the left shows rainwater flowing from a white downspout onto the ground. Text on the right explains how redirecting downspouts away from paved surfaces and toward lawns, rain gardens, or permeable areas helps reduce runoff and water pollution. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears near the bottom center.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Bag It Every Time” and subheader “Pet waste is water pollution.” A photograph shows a small tan Chihuahua standing on grass while a person crouches beside it, using a turquoise waste bag to pick up pet waste. A blue overlay covers the upper portion of the image, with the Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo in the upper-right corner. The graphic encourages responsible pet waste disposal to protect local waterways.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Store It. Don’t Pour It.” and subheader “Household chemicals can pollute waterways.” Against a light blue background are several rusty paint cans and two old aerosol spray cans. Text along the bottom encourages residents to never pour chemicals into drains or onto pavement and to use local hazardous waste disposal programs. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the lower-left corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Leaves Belong in Bags, Not Drains” and subheader “Yard waste can clog storm systems.” A photograph shows fallen brown autumn leaves collected in large clear yard waste bags. Text explains how leaves, grass clippings, and yard debris left in streets can block storm drains and contribute to polluted runoff. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the upper-right corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Wash Smart Outdoors” and subheader “Soapy water shouldn’t reach storm drains.” A photograph shows a person washing a vehicle's wheel with a soapy sponge, with soap suds covering the car and pavement. Text along the bottom reads, “Wash where water can soak in — not flow to storm drains.” The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears on the left side, emphasizing responsible car washing to prevent stormwater pollution.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Feed Your Lawn — Not the Water” and subheader “Too much fertilizer becomes pollution.” A photograph shows a blue-gloved hand holding granular fertilizer beside an open bag over garden soil. Text explains how excess fertilizer can wash into storm drains, causing nutrient pollution that harms water quality and aquatic life. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the upper-right corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic featuring the headline “Nothing But Rain” and subheader “Storm drains are not trash cans.” A photograph shows a roadside storm drain partially covered with fallen leaves, litter, and debris beneath a blue overlay. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the bottom-left corner. The graphic emphasizes keeping trash and debris out of storm drains to protect local waterways.

ALT MS4 educational graphic titled “Septic Care Starts at Home” with the subheader “Proper system maintenance protects water quality.” A cross-section illustration shows an underground two-compartment septic tank with labeled inspection pipes, inlet and outlet baffles, a filter, wastewater, scum, and sludge. Red arrows illustrate wastewater flowing from the house through the tank and toward the drain field. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the upper-right corner.

ALT MS4 educational graphic titled “Small Litter. Big Pollution.” with the subheader “Cigarette butts don’t disappear.” A large discarded cigarette butt appears on the right against a light blue background. Orange text boxes explain that cigarette filters contain plastic and harmful chemicals that rainwater can carry into storm drains and local waterways, threatening wildlife and water quality. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears near the bottom center.

ALT MS4 educational graphic titled “Turn Waste Into Soil — Not Runoff” with the subheader “Composting keeps nutrients out of storm drains.” A blue text box explains how food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings can contribute to stormwater pollution when left on pavement. On the right, an illustrated compost life cycle shows growing vegetables, food, scraps, compost, and natural fertilizer connected by green arrows. The Think Blue Connecticut River otter logo appears in the upper-right corner.