Pick-up...what?!

We love our pets; and they certainly love us back. In fact, our furry friends give us little (sometimes big) presents every day. Although dog waste isn't the perfect dinner time conversation, it is important to talk about it's affect on water quality.

Each gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform colonies. With over 20,000 dogs in Overland Park, that really adds up. Dog waste is not a fertilizer and if it's not picked up, it flows directly into streams when it rains.

You can do your part by picking up the waste in your yard and remembering to bring a bag for waste deposited while walking your dog.

Ozone season starts in June

During the summer, the air is more susceptible to unhealthy levels of ozone pollution.

Ground level ozone is formed when emissions react with heat and sunlight. Ozone found high about the earth protects us from the sun's rays.

Ground level ozone makes it difficult for the lungs to absorb oxygen and is harmful to a wide cross-section of the population. You can protect yourself by paying attention to the daily SkyCast and reducing emissions.

Did you know...

The city adopted the Stream Buffer Ordinance in 2002 and have protected over 11 miles of streams.

Buffers are the areas of natural vegetation along the banks that separate streams from developed areas.

Respect the boundaries of your property and don't mow or maintain property that you do not own. Many buffers are integrated into park and residential developments and are owned by a home owners association or the city.