Poor water quality can be costly to communities. People don't want to live near polluted water, or use it for recreation. Pollution degrades ecosystems and habitat, affecting aquatic life and wildlife. Polluted water costs more to treat, which results in higher water bills.

In Lenexa, protecting our streams also protects water as it flows to the Kansas River, then to the Missouri River and into the Mississippi River, where it eventually ends up in the Gulf of Mexico. Little actions here can help a lot downstream.

The good news? It’s easy to protect and restore Lenexa’s watersheds, whether at home, at work or in the community. Get started today!

Protect water at home
Most homeowners think their actions won't have much effect on larger problems such as flooding, clean water in our streams or protecting wildlife habitat. The truth is, every homeowner and landowner can make a big difference in the health of our environment and in reducing polluted runoff to keep our streams, lakes and wetlands clean. To help prevent stormwater pollution, follow these simple tips:

• Use lawn chemicals safely. Always follow label instructions and never apply before rain. Make sure excess is swept off sidewalks and other paved areas, where it can wash into streams.
• Go native. Native plants conserve soil and water and provide the backbone for non-polluting landscapes because they don't need fertilizers or pesticides. They support a diversity of wildlife and are winter-hardy, drought-tolerant and are less prone to pests and diseases.
• Recycle used oil. Never place used motor oil in the trash or pour down storm drains. Recycle used oil at a used oil collection facility.
• Pick up after your pets. When walking your pet, remember to bring extra bags to pick up and dispose of waste properly.
• Protect our streams. Mowing close to a stream’s edge damages roots that hold soil in place, causing stream banks to erode. Avoid mowing within 10 to 25 feet from the edge of a stream and keep lawn clipping and leaf piles off banks.
• Mow it high, let it lie. Keep your mower blades sharp and stick to the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the height of the blades at one mowing. Then, let it lie by leaving your grass clippings on the lawn. They will return up to 25 percent of the needed nitrogen.
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean. Remove debris and residue that could end up in a storm drain from concrete and paved areas around your house, including grass clippings, leaves and household chemicals.
• Build a rain garden. Located in areas of your yard where water collects, rain gardens use the deep roots of native plants soak up excess water, creating a low-maintenance, high-function garden.
• Wash vehicles the right way. Either wash your car at a car wash that filters the wastewater or wash your car in a grassy area. Avoid washing your car on a driveway or in the street, where soap and grease flow into stormdrains. Read more facts about car washing.
• Don’t dump. Never put trash or yard waste down stormdrains, on streambanks or in the street.
• Conserve water with a rain barrel. A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores rainwater from downspouts and rooftops for future use watering lawns and gardens, decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff that leaves your property.
• Shop smart. Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled and recyclable products whenever possible.
• Report a problem. Contact Municipal Services at 913.477.7880 if you see something that isn’t good for our water.

Protect water at work
One of the most common types of pollution from businesses is contaminated runoff, usually from cleaning and maintenance activities. Simple practices can prevent water pollution, and prevention is good business: clean water and clean streams shows your customers you care about the community.

• Use your drains. Clean floormats, filters and garbage cans in a mop sink, floor drain or proper outside area, not the parking lot, alley, sidewalk or street.
• Reduce hazards. Use nontoxic cleaning products and recycle grease and oil, instead of pouring it into sinks, floor drains or into a parking lot or the street.
• Dry cleaning is best. Use dry methods for spill cleanup, by sweeping and using cat litter instead of hosing. Have spill containment and cleanup kits available for possible spills on your property. To report serious toxic spills, call 911.
• Keep trash thrown away. Keep dumpster lids closed and the areas around them clean. Do not fill with liquid waste or hose them out. Call your trash hauler to replace any dumpsters that leak.
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean. Remove debris and residue that could end up in a storm drain from concrete and paved areas, including grass clippings, leaves, dirt and chemicals.
• Prevent leaks. Use drip pans to catch leaks when pouring and draining fluids such as gas, hydraulic oil and transmission, brake and radiator fluids.
• Follow safety guidelines. Be sure employees are familiar with your hazardous materials response plan and are capable of implementing it. Store hazardous materials under cover or inside and keep liquid wastes segregated. Many fluids can be recycled as long as they are not mixed.
• Recycle leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste. Don’t blow, sweep or hose them into the street or gutter.

Protect water in the community
Communities work to develop and implement sustainable water management programs to meet the present and future water needs of residents and businesses. By educating community members about water pollution, you can help protect water resources for future generations.

• Learn more about the issue. Stormwater pollution can affect everyone.
• Volunteer. Participate in clean-up activities in your neighborhood, form a stream team, build a rain garden or become a water quality monitor.
• Advocate. Write or call your elected representatives to inform them about your concerns and encourage legislation to protect water resources. Get involved in local planning and zoning decisions and encourage your local officials to balance water quality protection with development and community needs.
• Promote environmental education. Help educate people in your community about ways in which they can help protect water quality.

Questions?
Contact Mandy Stark, outreach and education specialist.