Category: Contractors

What should you do with snow?

Snow can be fun but clearing it is a workout! While you’re shoveling, consider where you’re putting the snow. If you put it in your yard, the snowmelt will be able to water your yard. Also, you will probably only have to move that snow once- the plows won’t put it back in your driveway.

Moving snow into the street can cause safety hazards for passing vehicles and is a nuisance for City crews. See more from our Streets Department.

While you’re dressed for the weather, be a Snow Hero. Clear a path for your mail delivery driver and move snow away from any fire hydrants you may have in your yard. If you’ve had extra coffee, you might even create a path for snowmelt to the nearest storm drain to avoid an ice build-up after sunny days.

Image result for snowed in hydrant

Got Batteries?

This holiday season you may find yourself purchasing more batteries, but what happened to the old ones? Remember that old batteries do not belong in the trash. They are built out of chemicals found in heavy metals; at a landfill, these chemicals can soak in and contaminate our water supply. Please take the time to dispose of them properly! Contact Interstate Battery or Best Buy for proper disposal.

Developers can make a difference

Construction sites are a major source of stormwater pollution in the form of dirt, vehicle chemicals, and spills. There are many tools available to improve your site. Construction entrances maintained with large rock can knock dirt loose of vehicles before entering the roadway. Silt fence can trap dirt before it leaves your site. Basic upkeep on all equipment will reduce the number and types of leaks from engines and help your site run more efficiently. Careful handling and proper storage of large quantities of chemicals can ensure that any leaks are contained and handled appropriately.

Remember: allowing sediment and pollutants to leave your worksite is against federal, state, and local regulations.

What is “Runoff”?

So- what is runoff?

Runoff is any stormwater that can’t infiltrate the soil. This water & snowmelt from our roofs, streets, and pavement creates a flowing river. The river picks up anything it can carry as it flows: yard chemicals, vehicle chemicals, pet waste, trash, soil and debris. The runoff river carries these things into our local streams and lakes before flowing out to the Platte River and beyond. Check out the the Center for Watershed Protection for more information.

America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is a day to educate and encourage individuals to be more mindful of what they consume. They want us to know where and how to properly recycle and to commit to recycle more often. Contact our Clean Community System to participate and Visit Keep America Beautiful to participate.

Construction Stormwater

The people working on a construction site are a first line of defense for our rivers. Good work practices keep dirt, chemicals, and trash out of our streets and storm sewers. View the EPA’s guide to federal requirements to make sure you are doing what you can on the job to keep costs down and the site clean.

Commercial Car Washes do Their Part

Our local car wash facilities take extra steps to ensure the dirt/salt/fluids from your vehicle are handled responsibly. They use less water than you would at home. The soapy, dirty water is sent to the wastewater treatment plant for cleaning before it hits the waterways.

Does your driveway do that?

Follow up with reddit.

Don’t Just “Throw it in the Trash”

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any substance containing ingredients that could negatively affect your safety, health or the environment. Alerting words found on hazardous products include:

  • poison
  • danger
  • warning
  • caution
  • toxic
  • flammable
  • corrosive
  • explosive
  • irritant

They can be found on a wide range of products in and around the home, including:

  • furniture polish
  • bleach
  • antifreeze
  • insecticides
  • paint
  • mothballs
  • many more
Image result for household hazardous waste

Another hazardous property you may see on a label is reactive. This means the product contains chemicals that, if combined with certain other substances, could result in hazardous reactions such as gaseous emissions or explosions.

Visit our Clean Community System site to learn more.