Published on September 21, 2026
City encourages Lawrence to help keep streets and waterways clean for Stormwater Awareness Week A piece of litter on a Lawrence street may not stay there for long. When rain falls, stormwater can carry trash, debris, chemicals, oil, sediment, and other pollutants from streets and other hard surfaces into storm drains, streams, and, eventually, the Kansas and Wakarusa rivers. During Stormwater Awareness Week, September 21-25, the City of Lawrence is encouraging community members to take simple steps to help keep pollution out of the stormwater system. One of the easiest ways to help is to pick up litter before the rain does. Residents can help by:
The City’s stormwater guidance specifically encourages residents to pick up litter and debris before rain can carry it into the drainage system. Litter collection is also part of Lawrence’s broader stormwater pollution prevention efforts. An illicit discharge is generally pollution or material entering the stormwater system that should not be there. Examples can include paint, chemicals, oil, wastewater, trash, yard waste, and sediment. Community members who see suspected pollution entering a storm drain can report it through the City of Lawrence app/SeeClickFix or find reporting information at lawrenceks.gov/mso/stormwater. Stormwater Awareness Week is a reminder that protecting local water does not always require a big project. Picking up a piece of litter, keeping debris out of the gutter, or reporting pollution when something does not look right can all make a difference. Cleaner streets help create cleaner streams. Learn more about stormwater management and pollution prevention at lawrenceks.gov/mso/stormwater. Contact: City Communications, citycommunications@lawrenceks.gov