Street sweepers are at their optimal potential when they are moving at 3-5 mph. They will ALWAYS have their flashing lights on when they are in operation. Please approach with caution and give them ample space.
City of Kearney Street Sweepers
Waterwise Wednesday: A Slight Delay
Autumn officially started on Monday, but turning of the leaves will be delayed until mid-October according to the Weather Channel.
Cooler temperatures coupled with less daylight prompts leaves to change color; however, warmer evening temperatures haven’t slowed chlorophyll production yet.
As a bonus, the extra moist summer should encourage brighter more vibrant colors once the leaves do change.
NEBRASKAH2O – Kearney
Waterwise Wednesday: The Falling Leaves
As falling leaves drift to the ground, please clear them from storm drain grates and put them to better use. Leaves can easily clog storm drains creating preventable flooding and nutrient overload pollution.
There’s several good uses for those fallen leaves:
1. Shred and spread on the lawn for a nutrient boosting mulch.
2. Convert them to compost either in your own pile or put them in a city yardwaste bin and we’ll compost them at the Yardwaste Facility.
3. Use the leaves as mulch in your garden beds to protect the soil and hold moisture. Next spring till them into the soil for extra nutrients.
Pocket Wetlands
These designed stormwater treatment facilities are ideal for any environment. Pocket wetlands filter, clean and store water from multiple sources. Thy act as sponges by holding flood waters and keeping rivers at normal levels.
Waterwise Wednesday: Handwash vs. Dishwasher
Dishwashers use half the energy, one-sixth of the water and less soap than hand-washing according to research at the University of Bonn, Germany. Dishwashers beat the hand washers in both efficient water use and cleanliness level.
Need a dishwasher? Consider these tips to get the most efficient and effective:
1. Choose an ENERGY STAR dishwasher
2. Scrape food into the compost. Don’t iwaste water rinsing.
3. Choose an eco-friendly dishwasher detergent.
4. Run full loads, on the “light” cycle and turn off the “heated drying” option.
5. Repair a dishwasher before replacing it.
Waterwise Wednesday: Fall Fertilizing
Fall, right after the first freeze, is the best time to fertilize the lawn and combat weeds as the plants take the fertilizer and herbicide deep into their systems as they shut down for the season.
Remember to apply chemicals “Sparingly and Caringly” – using only the amount needed according to instructions – to promote plant health and prevent waste. Sweep any extra back onto the lawn after application to prevent loss in runoff as fertilizer and pesticides are the top non-point source pollutant in US surface waters.
Waterwise Wednesday: The Call to All
There’s no one big solution to preserve water, but in fact a multitude of strategies utilizing the time and talents of many different people. For example,
– Municipalities and water utilities provide basic safe water and sanitation
-Researchers, Inventors, and Innovators continue to develop advanced water treatment and reuse systems for gray water and stormwater
-Engineers are making desalination more efficient
-Ag research and irrigation specialists improve plant and irrigation efficiency to grow more food with far less water
-Policymakers protect natural ecosystems and guarantee water for the environment
-Businesses designing and producing more efficient water-using appliances with less water use in the production process
-Builders and advocates creating access to clean water and sanitation
-Tech companies working with agencies and utilities to develop smart-technology to help price, manage, and use water efficiently;
– Educators, residents, and conservationists improve our homes and institutions to manage water sustainably.
We all have a role in preserving water. What do you do?
Photo © creativecommonsstockphotos
Communicate Your Thoughts
Waterwise Wednesday: Plastic Rain in the Rocky Mountains
Over 90% of Rocky Mountain rainwater samples gathered for a United States Geological Survey contained microplastics, plastics less 5 mm or less. While urban samples contained more plastic, samples from remote sites indicate microplastics may be more pervasive.
Some microplastics are released as tiny particles like fibers from synthetic clothing or car tire fragments. Others fibers come from the breakdown of larger plastic items like bags and bottles. The particles migrate and have been found in the remotest parts and people on the planet.
To see the report: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2019/1048/ofr20191048.pdf…
Waterwise Wednesday: In Dew Time . . .
It’s dew season, when the clear, calm nights cause surface temperatures to fall below the dew point.
A nice rainstorm coupled with thick green vegetation, (like ripening fields, gardens, or thick lawns) and clear night skies could develop dew for several mornings until the moisture evaporates from the ground.
Dew time is part of the change of seasons here in the Panhandle and makes for wet treks to school, the alley trash can, or marching band practice.