Home gardens

Even on small lots, homeowners can take steps to reduce pollution from runoff as well as flood- and erosion-causing storm flows.

One basic step is avoiding pollution in the first place with tough plants that require little or no fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides.

Drought-tolerant plants, like the California native plants above and below, save water in dry periods. Less irrigation means less chloramines flowing to storm drains and creeks. Chloramines, used to make drinking water safe for humans, are toxic to aquatic life.

As the photos show, there are many ways to build paths and patios that let rain soak in.

Gardens that are deeply dug, densely planted, and heavily mulched trap rain and slow down peak flows of storms.

Some runoff can soak in if the strip between sidewalk and street is kept permeable — especially if plantings or pavers are slightly below the level of the sidewalk.

With attention to soil type, slope, and drainage, many homes can have swales or let roof leaders drain into landscaping. See photos in other pages under Dense Housing and Single Family Housing, particularly Livermore: Charlotte Ave. area and Pleasant Hill and Fremont Townhouses.