World O! Water is a free annual event designed to enlighten the public about water conservation, quality and recreation. This educational celebration of water is planned and managed by the Omaha Stormwater Program, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Keep Omaha Beautiful, Nebraska Game and Parks and the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is harmful to the environment and can limit the amount of water available for us to use at home, work, and play. Pollution can come from many sources including homes, businesses, and industry. The good news is that it is preventable, and the goal of World O! Water is to offer tips and suggestions to the public so we can curtail water pollution through education. Individuals can take simple everyday actions to keep pollutants out of our water and ensure an abundance of clean water from our streams to our sinks.
Water pollution is generally divided into two categories, point source and non-point source:
Point source pollution includes stationary locations with identifiable conveyances or sources of pollution discharge. Examples of point sources can include industries, businesses, and ships.Non-point source pollution comes from many locations where rainfall or snowmelt collects pollutants and deposits them into the local water sources. Examples of non-point sources include farm runoff, paved roads, and parks.Water pollution can be prevented or limited in a number of ways. These include:
Always pick up after your pet.Un-scooped dog poop gets washed into storm drains and ends up in nearby streams, lakes and rivers. This contaminates our sources of drinking water and is harmful to our native plants and wildlife.Do not keep water running when not in use.Limit the water you use for baths, showers, even while brushing teeth. Use a shut-off on your showerhead while shampooing and lathering to save water.Donʼt throw chemicals, oils, and paints down the sink or the toilet.Never discard these outside or down a storm inlet. Read labels to learn how to properly dispose of chemicals, etc. Many products can be taken to a disposal facility like Under The Sink.Buy more environmentally safe cleaning liquids for use at home and other public places.However, environmentally safe does not mean you can discard down a storm inlet. Dispose of as instructed by the manufacturer.When using fertilizers and pesticides for your lawn or garden, make sure not to use more than directed.This will reduce what is carried by stormwater to nearby water sources. Also, keep weather in mind before you apply fertilizers. Don’t use if rain or strong wind is predicted.Consider creating your own rain garden or constructing a rain barrel.Rain washes contaminants into our local bodies of water. Adding a rain garden or rain barrel does a great job of containing stormwater at its source.
Remember…. Only Rain Down the Storm Drain!!!!!
