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Stormwater and the Omaha Metro Community

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, trash and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to an Omaha metro lake, stream or the Missouri River. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for fishing, boating and other recreational uses.

A new federally mandated regulation under the Clean Water Act as been enacted which requires Omaha, Douglas and Sarpy Counties and other towns in the metro area to implement programs and practices to control polluted stormwater runoff. The intent of the new regulation is to improve the Omaha metro lakes and streams by reducing the quantity of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carries into storm sewer systems during storm events. Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pet waste, fertilizer and pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles. These pollutants can harm fish and wildlife populations, kill native vegetation, and make recreational areas unsafe and unpleasant.

Stormwater management programs must include the following six minimum control measures: public education and outreach: public participation/involvement; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction site runoff control; post-construction runoff control; and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Best management practices will be implemented to satisfy each of these six minimum control measures.

Public education and involvement are two of the most important measures. Public awareness and involvement during the development of stormwater management plans is very important. The City of Omaha, Girls and Boys Town, Gretna, LaVista, Papillion, Bennington, Bellevue, Papio-Missouri NRD, Elkhorn, Ralston, Douglas and Sarpy Counties, and the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership are working together to develop a stormwater management program for the Omaha metro area. Douglas/Sarpy Counties Extension educational programs complement their efforts.

Stormwater management is not a new concept but now it has taken on a higher priority. Protecting our lakes, streams and rivers from stormwater runoff pollution is everybody’s business.