POLLUTANT CLEANUP

AND DISPOSAL

 

What is nonpoint source pollution?

When you see rivers, lakes, and streams become cloudy or discolored you may be looking at nonpoint source pollution.  This type of pollution can be easier to spot than it is to control.  Pollutants enter our waters from many sources.  One way is from specific points, such as the discharge pipes of factories, which can contain untreated waste.  This type of pollution can be monitored and controlled.  In contrast, nonpoint source pollution comes from many diverse sources and is harder to control.  Major nonpoint sources of pollution include excess farm and lawn nutrients that move through the soil into the groundwater or local waters directly through runoff during heavy rains; uncontrolled stormwater runoff from construction sites; animal wastes; and even pollutants released directly into the atmosphere.  From farmlands to suburban lawns, people use the land in ways that cause nonpoint source pollution.

 

What are the pollutants?

Nonpoint source pollutants include nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, sediments from construction sites, pesticides, salts from winter road treatment, and trace metals and toxic chemicals from inadequately protected landfills.  Individually, these pollutants may not be a major concern, but taken as a whole they can result in widespread water quality problems.

 

What can be done?

There are lots of ways to reduce nonpoint source pollution.  They include lots of detention ponds for capturing sediments, seeding or mulching bare areas to help control erosion, and reducing pesticide and fertilizer use.  Pollution prevention is essential to reducing nonpoint source pollution.  Something every person can do is to PROPERLY CLEAN UP and DISPOSE OF potential pollutants.

CLEAN UP AND DISPOSAL:

NEVER discard garbage or recyclables onto the ground or into the lake.  Number 1 and 2 plastics, aluminum and metal, mixed paper, cardboard, and glass should all be recycled.  In Omaha, number 3 and 5 plastics are also recyclable.  Detailed information on garbage and recycling collection and drop off can be found by visiting www.cbrecycles.com for Carter Lake residents or www.wasteline.org for Omaha residents.

 

NEVER dump liquid or solid waste down a storm drain or directly into the lake.  Many items commonly considered regular garbage (batteries, cleaning products, fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides, paint, etc) are hazardous and should not be disposed of in the trash.  Contact the local household hazardous waste facility (www.underthesink.org in Omaha and www.cbrecycles.com in Carter Lake) for information on how to properly dispose of products, or to bring products in for disposal.

 

             

If you would like further information or assistance, feel free to contact the Project Coordinator.