| Storm Drain Stenciling
A popular method for getting the message out about our effect on our lakes and streams and for getting students and volunteers involved is the labeling of storm drains. The idea is simple: let the public know that when they dump something down the drain, it just doesn't disappear nor necessarily goes through some treatment plant. Often their careless disposal of fertilizers or oil goes directly into a waterbody. Below are some pictures of storm drain stencils that have been used by groups.
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A Stencil from the US EPA's |
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North Carolina Storm Drain Stenciling Project www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/wqg/smp-18/stormdrain/
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South Carolina "Paint The Drain" Campaign |
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The City of Austin storm drain marking program is a hands-on project for volunteers who are interested in educating the public about pollution prevention. The markers with the message... "NO DUMPING - DRAINS TO CREEK" displayed are placed on storm drain inlet filters to remind us that rainfall runoff can wash soil, yard waste, fertilizer, motor oil, and other contaminants into our waterways. www.ci.austin.tx.us/watershed/stormdrain_marking.htm
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www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/cleanbay/schoolstncl.html
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Northern Virginia Regional Commission |
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Here is a eagle scout project with some great pictures add http://www.earthwardconsulting.com/scouts/eric_ward_eagle/eaglewebpage1.htm
Links thanks to David Ward
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| Some programs to affix markers rather than use stencils | |
| Hillsborough
County, Florida, uses PVC markers rather than stencils.
According to John McGee the markers make the job go a lot faster and allows them to place more specific information on them. The markers eventually fade and/or get ripped up, but they hold their color for a number of years and the ease of use makes them worth it. Generally the County sends out a kit including the markers, enough glue to apply them, and a stack of door hangers designed to let homeowners know what's going on. Anyone in the County is eligible to receive a kit. The County only asks that they send in a tracking form indicating where and how many markers were applied. They also host a couple of larger stenciling events a year, usually the County supplies the materials and local service organizations provide the volunteers.The County provides other interesting signs through their program as well. These include No Mowing signs for use around new plants, signs notifying the presence of triploid grass carp, and each of the restoration groups gets a large street sign to identify their pond as part of the program. For more information, contact John McGee, the Adopt-A-Pond Program Coordinator [McGeeJ@hillsboroughcounty.org].
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| An excellent source of ideas for
storm drain messages and the background of why someone should be concerned
can be found in the Texas Water Commission's brochure, Storm Drain
Stenciling.
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/pubs/gi/gi-212.html |
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You might consider writing a brochure such as this one written by the University of Wisconsin Extension
clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/stormie/stormdra.pdf
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Or
you could make a video such as the one made by
 with Richard Chamberlin & Mayor Jeremy Harris |
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Other Publications
Storm Drain Stenciling: The Street-River
Connection by Rhonda Hunter in the Volunteer Monitor Fall, 1995, Surfrider Foundation Santa Cruz Chapter's Storm Drain Stenciling 101
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Some
Commercial Sources of Templates and Decals |
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| Many of the stencils shown on this site come from Earthwater Stencils (http://www.earthwater-stencils.com). Their website has lots of free stormwater education support as well. |
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das Curb Markers |
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ACP
International www.acpinternational.com/stormdrain.php |
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If you have a website with pictures of storm drain stencils that are different from those illustrated, we would be happy to put pictures or links to your page. Contact: dipin.kent.edu for details.