Overland Park is the largest city in Johnson county, Kansas. the city population is approximately 170,000. There are three mains river flow through as Wolf creek, Coffee creek and Tomahawk creek.
As we have known that stormwater is surface water in abnormal quantity resulting from heavy falls of rain or snow. When it rains, water run across rooftops, down street and across parking lots and yard, picking up substance along the way. This stormwater “runoff” often contain materials like chemical fertilizer, pet waste, automotive fluids and yard waste such as leaves and glass clippings. Moreover, Runoff then washes down storm drain and is eventually deposited into local rivers and streams, causing pollution and endangering public health.
Normally, the drainage system in city has been separated between stormwater and wastewater. Stormwater will go directly to lakes, rivers and streams without treatment so, it has highly risks of harmful environment especially water quality.
Consequently, the city has provided several solutions to make sure keeping community’s water clean and healthy as below:
- USE A RAIN BARREL
Collect and store rainwater from downspout and rooftops for future use watering yards and gardens, Rain barrel can help decrease the amount of stormwater runoff that leaves your property
2. LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE PLANTS AND RAIN GARDENS
Native plants have natural properties that often eliminate or reduce the need for mowing, fertilizing or using pesticide. Rain gardens catch stormwater and slowly filter it into the ground, meaning less water runs off lawns into storm sewers. In addition, it helps to prevent flooding and erosion in stream.
3. PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET
Almost residents have their pets especially dog which pet waste is defined that it is not a fertilizer-it contains harmful bacteria. So, to make sure pet waste is disposed properly the city has provided DOG-POT and installed at park particularly sidewalk along the rivers.
4. USE LAWN CHEMICALS SPARINGLY
Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides can contain ingredients harmful to human health and the environment.
5. GO NATURAL
Instead of using chemical lawn products, consider compost or natural alternatives.
All of things that I have mentioned above are some kinds of lesson learnt from Overland Park city.
By Khamla INSOUNANH, Laos. #YSEALI #ICMA #Profellows2018 #Environmentsustainability
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program 