Your lawn
Fertilize lightly or not at all. This is especially true if you live close to the water. Nitrates, which are found in fertilizer, can run off or leach into drinking water sources causing excessive algae or weeds and health problems in humans, especially in babies. At the cottage, use native plant species instead of a lawn. They are drought tolerant and more resistant to insects.

Rain Water
Catch rain water from your eavestrough downspout in a rain barrel and use it to water your lawn and garden.

Wash Your car
Soaps, dirt and oil run down the driveway and into storm sewers or local streams. Use the car wash or wash your car on the lawn with biodegradable soaps — or no soap. It works just as well and will not damage the environment.