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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

UNL Water

Your natural resource for reliable lawns, landscapes and gardens information

snow covered sidewalks lead to stormdrain, 2 men walking through campus

Lawns and landscapes can contribute to water quality and quantity issues if improperly designed and managed. Through sustainable design and management, lawns and landscapes can protect water resources and provide many other environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Homeowners can help protect water from pollution and reduce excess water use by:

  1. Using landscape design practices that reduce the amount of runoff water from their property such as Rain gardens, swales or rain barrels.
  2. Understanding what types of pollutants can originate from their home and yard.
  3. Reducing the use of these potential pollutants and/or keeping potential pollutants out of the path of runoff water.
  4. Using responsible lawn and landscape care practices.

Key Points:

  • Every property drains to a waterway whether or not the property is located near surface water.
  • In urban areas, stormwater runoff from rain and snowmelt flows from rooftops, paved areas, and yards and is directed to storm drains. Even a light rain or the flow from a garden hose or lawn irrigation system can result in runoff.
  • As runoff water flows over surfaces, it can collect and carry pollutants including soil, fertilizer, pesticides and yard waste to storm drains where it is discharged to surface water.
  • Water from storm drains or storm sewers is not treated to remove pollutants.
  • While the amount of pollutants originating from a residential property may be small, contaminants combine with pollutants from other home lots and from municipal and business properties. When combined, the contaminants can accumulate to amounts that cause environmental problems.
  • The above is called nonpoint source pollution. It cannot be easily traced to one source or one property. Virtually everyone contributes to nonpoint source pollution of water resources.

For in-depth information on these topics and how you can make a difference, see these Extension NebGuides and visit the above linked topic pages:


Water Pollution and Our Own Yards*
Web Version

Stormwater Management on Residential Lots*

Yard Waste Management*
Web Version

Pesticide Use in the Lawn and Garden*
Web Version

Landscape Water Conservation*
Web Version

*pdf documents require Acrobat Reader. Download free from the Adobe Web site.

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Information presented within the lawn and landscape section of this Water Web site has been reviewed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Stormwater and Greenspace Team. Members include Mary Anna Anderson, Tadd Barrow, Erin Bauer, Sarah Browning, Kathleen Cue, John Fech, Kelly Feehan, Thomas Franti, Roch Gaussoin, George Haws, Jim Hruskoci, Don Janssen, Clyde Ogg, Steve Rodie, Jim Schild, Dave Shelton, Richard Sutton and Kim Todd.
Did You Know?

When deicers and salt run off paved surfaces, they often end up in soil, ponds, rivers or lakes. In high concentrations, salt is harmful to plants and wildlife. Shovel snow before it is walked or driven on to minimize ice formation and reduce the need for deicers. When needed, use minimal amounts of these chemicals or use gravel, sand or kitty litter as an alternative. When ice melts, do not sweep these into the street where they will be carried to surface water via storm drains.
For more information, see NebGuideG1121, Winter de-icing agents for the homeowner

Resources

UNL Extension Lawn & Landscape Publications

Resources for Youth

New EPA Video-- Reduce Runoff: "Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In."

Lawn & Landscape Links

Backyard Farmer
Site from long running Nebraska public television show features UNL experts giving answers and advice to consumer garden, insect, and lawn questions.

UNL Extension Horticulture
This site provides timely lawn, garden and landscape information to professional and home gardeners, enabling them to create sustainable rural and urban landscapes.