Lake Star Homes
Become a Lake Star Home & Help Protect Our Drinking Water
Joining is free and easy for all residents in the watershed. Choose at least five environmentally-friendly action items, and you will receive a yard flag, a welcome packet and opportunities to start making a difference today.
The City of Norfolk's drinking water comes from eight man-made reservoirs located in the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County. The Department of Utilities manages these reservoirs and the surrounding property in order to protect water quality and ensure the availability of safe drinking water for all residents. However, we need your help to protect them.
Do You Live in the Watershed?
If you live in Norfolk or Virginia Beach, locate your house on the map (PDF). If you are within the green watershed area, you are eligible to become a Lake Star Home.
The Lake Star Home action steps are designed to improve your home, community and the waterways. It's a win-win for everyone!
Action categories include: Grow Green, Protect Our Reservoirs, Only Rain Down The Drain, Water Activities and Get Involved! Signing up is simple. Fill out the Lake Star Home pledge card, customize your five steps to fit your lifestyle, receive your yard flag, and get started making a difference right at home.
Soil Testing
Excess fertilizer can harm Norfolk's waterways by adding nutrients that can be harmful to water quality. Fertilizer contains pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus that can cause algal blooms in our waterways.
In conjunction with Norfolk's Bay Star Home program, we offer free soil test kits and testing. To qualify for the free soil testing, you must be a Norfolk resident and also be a Bay Star Home participant. See the Bay Star Home page for more information. Soil testing is the best way to determine the fertilizer needs of your lawn.
Want More Information?
- News Article - The Toxic Brew in Our Yards Pretty lawns can often mean pretty big problems for human health and water quality!
- Watch Norfolk Perspectives segment on the Lake Star Home program featuring David Rosenthal Norfolk's Reservoir Manager.
- AskHRGreen is a great resource for more information on how you can protect local waterways.
- Do you need help caring for your yard? Check out this guide from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
- Magazine Article - Watershed Moment - Toxic Algae is choking Lake Erie
Lake Star Notes
- Lake Star Notes Fall 2019 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Spring 2019 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Summer/Fall 2018 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Spring 2018 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Summer 2017 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Spring 2017 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Summer 2016 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Spring 2016 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Summer 2015 (PDF)
- Lake Star Notes Winter 2015 (PDF)