Poop is gross. Pets may be cute but their poop is still gross. When their excrement is left on the ground, the bacteria and waste remnants wash easily into the storm drain during a rainfall and are delivered to the lakes and rivers we play in. Don’t go boating in a poop river. Please, pick up after your pet.
This study in the National Institutes of Health database discusses the types of pathogens found in dog waste and their resistance to our most common antibiotics: http://bit.ly/37WSm3I
Do you have a sump pump in your home? What is it connected to? If it kicks on when you run the laundry or flush a below-grade toilet, you may have an ejector pump. These pumps are used when the appliances that create dirty water are positioned lower than the main sewer line leaving the house. Ejector pumps are very common with septic systems.
Ejector pumps look similar to sump pumps and function in a very similar way; the big difference is the water they output. Any ejector pumps need to be connected to the sanitary sewer where they can discharge water from sinks, washing machines, and basement toilets. Sump pumps put out clean water which needs to be discharged into your lawn or the storm sewer system. This frees up valuable space in the sanitary sewer pipes for dirty water and reduces your chances for a sewer backup in your home.
Questions? http://www.nationshomeinspections.com/blog/?p=228
In-ground sprinkler systems can save time and be helpful. They can also be very expensive. Reduce your costs by watering wisely:
Information provided by: https://www.waterone.org/community/use-water-wisely/smart-watering
Take this short [10-question] survey to find out what you know. Have a suggestion for a post? Let us know what you would like to see! We are always open to new ideas and are happy to expand on a topic that interests you.
P.S. April is Stormwater Awareness Month. Omaha Stormwater celebrates each week with a “Did you know” fact on their website.
No Fooling! 193,000,000 gallons of used oil each year. That’s roughly equivalent to 17 Exxon Valdez oil spills. See what else the EPA has to say here: http://bit.ly/34VjkH9
Groundwater naturally recharges as rainfall or other surface water infiltrates into the ground. Precipitation falls on the land, soaks through the soil and moves to the water table. Natural recharge can also occur when water seeps from rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands to the water table. Much of Gering’s groundwater recharge occurs this way from the North Platte River and canal systems.
However, low precipitation this winter means groundwater levels haven’t recharged to typical levels. This makes water conservation more important.
Plan now to conserve water with:
– native plant landscapes
– efficient watering systems set with water saving practices like a drip system set for early morning or late evening watering and moisture sensor to avoid over watering.
– water harvesting practices like rain barrels or directing downspouts to lawn and garden areas
– utilizing indoor water saving techniques like shorter showers, full laundry and dishwasher loads and low-flow faucet taps and shower heads.
The individuals working on a construction site are a first line of defense for our rivers. Fixing leaking equipment, using silt fences and designated construction entrances, and cleaning up as you go can keep your worksite clean. A clean worksite helps keep dirt, chemicals, and trash out of our streets and storm sewers. View the EPA’s guide to federal requirements here: https://bit.ly/2Wsuz4U