Protecting Barnstable’s Ponds & Lakes: What You Need to Know About the Fertilizer Use Ordinance

Did you know that when you fertilize your lawn, you’re not just feeding your grass—you could also be feeding our ponds and lakes? And unfortunately, it’s not a diet our water appreciates. When fertilizers are over-applied or used incorrectly, the extra nutrients don’t stay put. They wash away with stormwater, seep into groundwater, and end up in the ponds, lakes, and coastal waters that make Barnstable such a special place. This nutrient overload threatens drinking water, recreation, wildlife, and even our local economy. Learn more.