Making a Difference

Boston Harbor is cleaner than ever, thanks to the efforts of citizens and businesses and to funding provided by ratepayers. Agencies like the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission continue to work to remove pollution and eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows and storm water runoff. You can do your part to help keep Boston Harbor clean for swimming and boating. Here are 10 simple things you can do to protect Boston Harbor:

• Turn the sink faucet OFF while you are brushing your teeth. 
• Watch what goes down the drain and make sure it's safe. 
• Don't Litter! Pick up your trash so it doesn't end up in the Harbor. 
• When you take your dog for a walk, be sure to clean up after it. 
• Do a water inventory to see how much water you use every day. 
• Use environmentally friendly cleaners when washing your car. 
• Minimize your use of fertilizers and pesticides as the excess can wash into water systems. 
• Take shorter showers - gallons of water are wasted each minute.
• Bring your family to the Boston Harbor Islands and enjoy all that the Harbor has to offer! 
• Organize a beach cleanup with your friends.

Want to do even more?

The Boston Harbor Association has a series of publications that provide tips on how you can make a difference in keeping Boston Harbor clean.

The Boston Harbor Association's Citizen's Guide to Protecting Natural Resources of Boston Harbor outlines actions that Boston area residents can take at home, on the water and in the community. This bi-lingual (English, Spanish) publication shows how you can keep our local water resources clean through some simple changes every day.

If you own a dog or even if you are just a pet sitter, TBHA's A Dog Lover's Guide to Cleaner Boston Harbor Beaches is a "must read" so that we can keep Boston Harbor clean for everyone-dogs included!

Boston area boaters can discover ways to help maintain and improve water quality in Boston Harbor. The Boston Harbor Association's Boaters' Guide to a Cleaner Boston Harbor outlines tips and ideas for the eco-friendly maintenance and operation of recreational boats. The publication also lists locations of sewage pump out facilities in Boston Harbor for boats.

For copies of these publications or additional information,
please call (617) 482-1722 or e-mail us at mail@tbha.org.

The Boston Harbor Association   -   374 Congress Street, Suite 609   -   Boston, MA 02210   -   617-482-1722 (P)   -   617-482-9750 (F)   -   mail@tbha.org