Take a moment to consider: how much do you spend on bottled water? Where does that bottled water come from? What makes it preferable to filling a glass from the tap? What are your reasons for buying bottled water? Do those reasons outweigh the price? Learn more about tap water: http://bit.ly/3aY7yQ9
Small changes in behavior and equipment maintenance or upgrades can result in big savings – both in gallons and dollars.
Graphic: City of Santa Ana, CA
Need to get out of the house? Want to go for a walk around your neighborhood? Rack up some volunteer hours! Contact Grand Island Public Works for more information: http://bit.ly/2WRCRUr
Scottsbluff, Gering and Terrytown work to preserve water quality, implement good stormwater management and flood prevention. Some of the cities’ tasks include:
– Working with agencies to identify and map floodplains, wetlands and riparian areas.
– Determining areas for development, avoidance, and other sensitive areas.
– Integrating natural drainage features or low impact features into planning to minimize disturbance.
– Collaborating with agencies for proper management and preservation of riparian zones, community forestry, and land management techniques.
Did you know: in Grand Island, our storm water runs untreated to the river but our sewer lines run separately to the wastewater treatment plant? This means that any trash, leaves, grass, soil, road salt, and engine fluids on our streets are on a direct path to the rivers and lakes we play in.
House projects, both indoors and out, create potential pollutants that can get caught in storm runoff when used or disposed improperly.
1. Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recyclable, and recycled products whenever possible to reduce detrimental environmental effects.
2. Follow label directions for substances like paint, solvent, or cleanser that can contain toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Use the smallest amount possible, absorb any spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely. Store substances properly to avoid leaks and spills.
3. Clean paintbrushes in a sink, not outdoors, to prevent VOCs and other toxins from flowing into the storm system. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil based paint. Properly dispose of paint by pouring out and drying on scrap carpet or taking unused paint to Environmental Services.
4. Sweep and properly dispose of construction debris like concrete and masonry.
Water treatment processes makes water clean again, but some things cannot be treated or removed once they’re in the water system. Please don’t pour down a drain or flush the following:
– Pills, medications or drugs. Unused medications or drugs can be deposited in the drop boxes at either the Gering or Scottsbluff police stations. Walgreens and USave Pharmacy have drug take-back programs.
– Household chemicals or cleaning agents. Unused agents should disposed of as hazardous waste at local take-back event.
– Use the minimum amount of detergent and/or bleach when you are washing clothes or dishes. Use only phosphate free soaps and detergents.
– Minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers which can easily carried in water runoff.
– Motor oil or other automotive fluids. Used oil can be taken to the Gering Landfill.
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