Stormwater: rain and snow melt that flows off of our hard surfaces like rooftops and pavement. This flowing water is directed to storm drains and piped out to the nearest waterway; unfortunately each water droplet picks up all of the trash and pollutants that it can carry.

According to a recent government survey, 40% of U.S. water bodies are polluted; we are part of the problem. People living in communities add pollution to our waterways when we let everyday dirt and debris run into our storm drains. Things like leaves and grass, pet waste, lawn care chemicals, and automotive fluids get carried through our storm system and dumped into our lakes and rivers where they were never intended to be. The City of Grand Island has joined up with Nebraska municipalities across the state to change the statistics and clean up our waterways before any more damage is done.

The fastest way to do this is with your help.

Overview

The City of Grand Island, together with Federal and State agencies, is constantly reviewing, implementing, and managing stormwater pollution controls. The common goal of these government agencies is to reduce the amount of pollutants entering our nation’s water bodies.

The pollution of stormwater touches everyone in some way.  This is why the City has created a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that aims to reduce stormwater pollution. Our SWMP identifies pollution sources in our community (things like industrial activity, construction sites, and residential community habits) and provides basic changes that can be used to minimize pollution.

Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater pollution is a challenging water quality problem. Unlike industrial pollution, which can be traced back to individual sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. We can only improve if we work together with as industry leaders, construction professionals, and members of the community.

Hotline

Have you noticed an activity that might pollute the stormwater in your community? Call (308) 646-6557 to notify the Stormwater Division of a problem. You can also contact the Public Works Department at (308) 385-5455 or digitally via email, Facebook, or X and we will be happy to answer your questions.