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Keep Fireworks Trash Out of
Lakes and Streams
Steve Tonn, Extension Educator – Omaha Metro Area Lakes

Fireworks are a traditional way to celebrate the 4th of July. Attending a large community fireworks event or celebrating in the driveway, can be fun and exciting for youth and adults. However, residents must keep in mind that fireworks can contain heavy metals, sulfur coal compounds and toxic chemicals which can potentially be harmful to the environment especially the Omaha metro area lakes and streams.

It is common to see exploded firecrackers, roman candles, black cats and other fireworks trash and litter lying in the driveways and streets in the housing neighborhoods throughout Omaha. The trash and litter as well as the toxic chemicals can get into the lakes and streams via the stormwater sewer system. Once these pollutants reach the lakes and streams they can potentially harm the water quality in the lakes and streams. Residents are reminded to clean up these potential pollutants and dispose of them properly. Lets make the 4th of July safe for everyone including the Omaha metro lakes and streams.

It is a principle of watershed science that each of us is personally responsible for contributing some of the pollutants that run off our farmsteads, farm fields, lawns, driveways, streets, and parking lots. Runoff pollution is the major cause of water quality problems in most watersheds. Since in a watershed the land drains to its lowest point, runoff water picks up pollutants and carries them away to our creeks, streams, lakes and rivers. Therefore no matter where we live in the watershed we have a responsibility of preventing runoff pollution from leaving our property and being carried to a water body.

A watershed ethic means that we care what happens on our property and the impact it has in the watershed. Having a watershed ethic means that each person is willing to make some changes in their behaviors and practices to minimize their collective impact on the watershed. Such a watershed ethic is critical if we are to protect and improve the quality of our watersheds.