Author: Nick Hoendervoogt

Remember…
What we do on land affects the quality of our waterways.
Many small sources of pollution add up to cause big water quality problems.
Natural things such as soil, leaves, grass clippings, and pet waste can cause water pollution.
Waste dumped into storm sewers goes into our streams, lakes and rivers treatment.
Automobiles and other vehicles cause water pollution as well as air pollution.
Everyone can make a difference !

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING OR
SUSPICIOUS DISCHARGES:
Water Pollution Hotline
(308) 324-2341
Recycle used motor oil at:
Glenn Hawks Community Service Building
801 W. Vine Street, Lexington, NE 68850
(308) 324-5995

City of Lexington
406 E. 7th Street
P. O. Box 70
Lexington, NE 68850
Phone: (308) 324-2341 ext. 1112
Fax: (308) 324-4590
E-mail: bbrecks@cityoflex.com

THE DRAIN IS JUST FOR RAIN…

What is an Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is defined as “any discharge into a municipal storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.” A municipal storm sewer includes pipes, drains, catch basins, diches, ponds, streams, and bays.
Some of the pollutants that are considered to be illicit discharges are:
Car wash wastewater
Gas, anti-freeze & motor oil
Grass clippings & yard waste
Household cleansers
Paints
Pesticides
Solvents
Weed killers
Trash / debris
Pet waste
Sometimes these pollutants are carried through the storm drainage system by rain, wind, or improper disposal and enter into our streams, river and lakes. This can result in serious water quality problems and can impact the health of humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic organisms. Illicit discharges are prohibited by the City of Lexington Municipal Code.
There are simple steps that can be taken to help keep our waterways clean……
YOU CAN HELP!!

Five Easy Ways You Can Kelp Keep Illicit Discharges Out of Our Streams & Lakes
1. Used motor oil can be recycled (motor oil must be uncontaminated). Take them to the Glenn Hawks Community Services Building or City dump. Clean up any spills immediately-kitty litter or sawdust will absorb the spill. Be sure to sweep these up well & dispose of them in the garbage.
2. Wash your car on the grass so that the water, detergent, and dirt will be filtered by the soil. Better yet, take your car to a commercial car wash, where the dirty water goes into the sanitary sewer and is sent to the wastewater treatment plant.
3. Grass clippings in the street or on sidewalks should be swept up after each mowing. Grass clippings left in the street or on sidewalks are being washed into the storm sewers and end up in streams, lakes and rivers where they have the potential to cause algae blooms which harm fish and other aquatic organisms.

4. Many household products, including cleansers, pesticides, weed killers, paints, paint thinners, and solvents can be taken to the City of Lexington Solid waste collection or City of Lexington Service building during Household Hazardous Waste Collection days. Paint brushes used with latex (water-based) paint can be rinsed in the sink. Latex paint can go into regular garbage if the paint is dry or the can is empty. To dry out paint if there is less than 2 inches left, open the can in a well-ventilated area and let it dry out or add clay-based kitty litter or instant concrete mix, stir well and let it solidify. Oil-based paints and stains are hazardous waste and must not be put in the garbage unless the can is empty.
Empty containers of household cleansers, pesticides, and weed killer should be disposed of according to label directions.
5. When walking your pet or in your yard at home, use a bag or a scooper to promptly clean up your pet’s waste. To keep animal waste from harming the health of humans and out waterways, properly dispose of the waste by picking it up, bagging it, and placing it into the garbage.