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Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Environmental Public Health Storm Water Awareness Program

Presentation about the Storm Water Awareness Program

Would you ever pour chemicals directly into your stream or drinking supply? That is exactly what happens when you let chemicals run down your street and into the storm drain! The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department's (LLCHD) Storm Water Awareness Program (SWAP) educates the public about non-point source pollution and how we, as citizens, can be pro-active in protecting our streams and drinking supply.

Non-point source pollution originates with the overuse of yard chemicals and the careless dumping of motor oil, anti-freeze, and paint. Rainwater runoff picks up litter, grass clippings, excess fertilizers, pesticides, residue from oil leaks on streets and parking lots and sediment from construction sites. Rain water runoff does not go through the waste water treatment plant. Instead it runs directly from the storm drain on our streets to our lakes and streams. When these pollutants enter waterways they eventually affect fish and other aquatic life, and ultimately, our ground water.

Volunteer's needed:

Families, clubs, organizations or individuals are encouraged to volunteer. The goal of SWAP is to mark all 15,000 city storm drains with the "No Dumping - Drains to Creek" message. SWAP has curb side reminders to keep our storm drain run off clean. This is a small reminder to citizens that water quality is directly affected by wastes going down storm drains. Volunteers are needed to apply curb markers with the message "No Dumping - Drains to Creek." Call 441-8036 or E-mail: Harry Heafer to volunteer in this worthwhile effort. Let's clean our own back yard while we protect our earth's water.

Some shocking facts about non-point source pollution

• Non-point source pollution has been identified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as the main cause of our nation's water quality problems.
• Fish and waterfowl may ingest non-biodegradable litter that accumulates along shorelines.
• Aquatic animals can mistake plastic for food and can become entangled or ingest it blocking their airways or digestive systems killing them.
• Pet and yard waste contain both bacteria and oxygen-consuming materials that lead to fish kills.
• Homeowners often apply much more fertilizer than necessary for plant health.
• According to the EPA, in the United States alone, an estimated 200 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of by being dumped on the ground, tossed in the trash (ending up in landfills), and poured down storm drains. Just one gallon of used oil has the potential to contaminate up to 1 million gallons of drinking water! Additionally, used oil that ends up in the country's rivers, lakes, and streams can threaten aquatic life (EPA 530-F-94-008).
• Do-it-yourselfers spill or dump more oil in a month than is lost in major tanker disasters.

Here is a list of what we can do as responsible citizens to keep our streams and drinking water supply safe:

• Volunteer to apply curb markers between April and October of each year.
• Don't pour anything in a gutter or down a storm drain that you wouldn't want to swim in or drink.
• Keep your neighborhood free of litter and yard waste.
• Properly dispose of pet waste.
• Fix your vehicle's oil leaks.
• Don't overuse fertilizers or pesticides.
• Use a mulching mower to reduce the need to fertilize.
• Take used motor oil and antifreeze to a recycling location.(402) 441-8040
• Report illegal dumping in progress; In the City of Lincoln call Lincoln Police at (402) 441-6000. Outside Lincoln call the Sheriff's Department at (402) 441-6500. To report locations of illegal dump sites in the county call (402) 441-8022.
• Wash out paint brushes used with latex paint in your household sink, however, don't dump latex paint into your sink or down a storm drain. See your Household Hazardous Materials web page for more information.

Don't be a part of the pollution source! Practice responsible behavior and be a volunteer in our curb marking efforts.

Questions? Call 441-8035 E-mail: hheafer@lincoln.ne.gov

The SWAP program receives support from the Lincoln Public Works and Utilities Departments.

InterLinc City of Lincoln Departments Category Location Health Environmental Public Health Environmental Quality KLLCB