Auto Care

Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a water body. Instead, do the following:

• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
• Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

Pet Waste

Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters. When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.

Landscaping Ideas

Pervious Pavement Systems

Traditional concrete and asphalt don't allow water to soak into the ground. Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Pervious Pavement Systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing storm water runoff.

Rain Gardens and Grassy Swales

Specially designed areas occupied with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftops or paved areas can be diverted into these locations rather than into storm drains.

Rain Barrels

You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.

Vegetated Filter Strips

Filter strips are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap the pollutants in storm water accumulated when flowing across driveways and streets.

Commercial

Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking lots and paved areas can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually end up in local water bodies. Listed below are ways we can prevent this from happening:

• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
• Cover grease storage and dumpsters and keep them clean to avoid leaks.
• Report any chemical spill to the local hazardous waste cleanup team. They'll know the best way to keep spills from harming the environment.

Construction

Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be carried into the storm water system. Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by storm water and deposited into local water bodies. Listed below are wais we can prevent this from happening:

• Divert storm water away from disturbed or exposed areas of the construction site.,
• Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas, vegetative covers, and other sediment and erosion controls and properly maintain them, especially after rainstorms.
• Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.

What We Are Doing

Joining Forces

The Papio-Missouri River NRD has joined with the cities and counties in our watershed to develop an implementation plan for solutions to water quality and flooding problems.

The Papillion Creek Watershed consists of the land area that conveys water to the Missouri River from rain and snowmelt within the Papillion Creek basin. This area covers 402 square miles in Washington, Douglas and Sarpy Counties.

The Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership includes the cities of Omaha, Bellevue, Boys Town, Gretna, La Vista, Papillion, Ralston, and Sarpy County.

For more information on how you can help preserve our Water Quality go to www.papiopartnership.org