General Stormwater Basics

Learn what stormwater is, why pollution matters, and how you can help in your everyday life.

• Nebraska H2O website - statewide stormwater information

• NPDES – what is required of a stormwater program:

  • NPDES Requirements (English)

  • Requisitos de NPDES (Español)

• What is Stormwater Pollution?

  • Stormwater Management Plan Overview (English)

  • Resumen del Plan de Manejo de Aguas Pluviales (Español)

• Effects of Storm Water Pollution -

  • How runoff affects water quality (English),

  • Cómo la escorrentía afecta la calidad del agua (Español)

• What is a Watershed?

  • A review of watersheds (English),

  • Una revisión de las cuencas fluviales (Español)

• What Can I Do to Help? - easy tips you can start today

  • Easy tips for home (English),

  • Consejos sencillos para el hogar (Español)

  • Easy tips for work (English),

  • Consejos sencillos para el trabajo (Español)

• "After the Storm" Video - a short video on stormwater basics

• Be Stormwater Smart

  • Smart practices for residents (English),

  • Prácticas inteligentes para residentes (Español)

• Drainage Information for Property Owners

  • Guidance on managing runoff at home (English),

  • Guía de drenaje para el hogar (Español)

Lawn, Garden, & Yard Care

Best practices for healthy landscapes that protect water quality.

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension - tips on waterwise lawncare

• Backyard Farmer (UNL) - gardening and stormwater-friendly landscape ideas

• Plant Nebraska (Nebraska Statewide Arboretum) - plant suggestions for Nebraska landscapes

• BlueThumb.org - native plants and landscaping for water quality

• Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund -resources for taking 2+ acres back to nature

Contractors & Builders

Helpful stormwater compliance and training links for construction and site managers.

• EPA Construction Program Overview - federal construction stormwater basics

• EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Examples - sample SWPPPs

• EPA Construction Activities Guide - construction stormwater rules

• Nebrasaka NPDES Permit for Construction - state permit info

• Grand Island Enforcement Policy - local stormwater enforcement

• CIC Assistance Center - industry compliance support website

Training Programs for Contractors and Builders:

• Nebraska LTAP - Erosion Control Training website

• EPA Construction Inspector Training (free) website

• JEO Inspector Training website

Industry Specific Pollution Prevention

Best practice guides for businesses and industries to reduce stormwater pollution.

• Pollution prevention for the automotive service industry (English),

• Prevención de la contaminación para la industria de servicios automotrices (Español)

• Stormwater guidance for the concrete industry (English),

• Guía sobre aguas pluviales para la industria del hormigón (Español)

• Best practices for fueling stations (English),

• Mejores prácticas para estaciones de reabastecimiento (Español)

• Stormwater tips for landscapers (English),

• Consejos sobre aguas pluviales para paisajistas (Español)

• Guidance to reduce polluted runoff from restaurants (English),

• Guía para reducir la escorrentía contaminada de restaurantes (Español)

• Our preferences for Sump Pump Discharges

• Nuestras preferencias para las descargas de las bombas de sumidero

Just for Kids

Fun and educational resources for kids to learn about water and stormwater.

• EPA Environmental Kids Club - games and activities

• EPA Kids Educational Games - interactive water learning

• Walter Walleye Coloring Pages - printable coloring book

• Stormwater Sleuth Coloring Sheets (UNL) - stormwater activity pages

Permits and Official Documents 

• NPDES General Construction Permit NER 210000 - state permit details

• City of Grand Island MS4 Permit - local municipal stormwater permit

• MS4 Permit fact sheet,

  MS4 Permit attachments & Appendix A - supporting documents