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LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Prevention is the only solution to nonpoint pollution and polluted runoff. Cleanup and enforcement can't cover every street, driveway and parking lot. The biggest challenges to preventing nonpoint source pollution are information and action. Storm drain stenciling is a means to educate and promote voluntary action for pollution prevention.
Photo credit to King County Surface Water Management, WA. |
According to a national 1999 Roper survey, many people still mistakenly believe that industry is the greatest source of water pollution. Everyone values clean water, yet many people don't understand the threats from nonpoint pollution and stormwater runoff. Nor do they see their contribution to the problem or solution. Stenciling can help.
EPA recommends storm drain stenciling In the new Phase II Storm Water Rule. EPA's inventory found urban runoff discharges from storm sewers to be a major source of water quality impairment nationwide. The new EPA Clean Water Act Phase II storm water nonpoint rule for urban areas requires public education and involvement for even smaller cities than before. In guidance under this rule, EPA recommends storm drain stenciling for public education, involvement and illicit discharge prevention. [Sec.122.34 (b)(ii)].
Stenciling next to storm drains alerts others to the fate of runoff water and the pollution carried with it from lawns and streets. The stenciled message is highly visible. A Florida study showed stenciling is cost effective and lasts longer than tape-on curb-marker images that soon separate from pavement or are easily vandalized by collectors. And when it's time to refresh the stencil, the community involvement activity reaches a whole new set of volunteers and yields another opportunity for media attention to spread the message of pollution prevention.
Studies in Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington have shown stenciling works to raise awareness of pollution and stormwater runoff destinations. Over 75% of people who had seen the stenciled drains knew where their water went, compared to about a third of those who had not seen a stenciled drain. People who have seen stenciled drains appear to be willing to change some behaviors once they understand their effects.
For example, in Oregon a wetland debris problem was solved after a student storm drain stenciling program in upland neighborhoods stopped trash coming out a culvert that had been identified as a serious source of litter to Jackson Bottoms Wetland Preserve.
Storm drain stencils make a powerful impression. In Wisconsin, surveys showed that even residents in unstencilled neighborhoods recognized the stencil message and realized their stormwater drained to their lake. They had apparently seen the stencil elsewhere locally and it made a lasting impression. (Therefore, consider stenciling public places like shopping mall parking lots and other places people frequent. Auto parts store parking lots are also a good idea to inform "do-it-yourself" oil-changers.)
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Recommended by EPA for storm water public education, involvement and illicit discharge prevention in Phase II Rule. | |
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Helps people understand watersheds, stormwater and pollution prevention. | |
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Promotes a community involvement activity to engage citizens of all ages. | |
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Complements and reinforces other on-going water quality education efforts. | |
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Can be used as an enforcement tool for some water quality violations by offering a community service "restitution option" to fines. | |
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Used by public works maintenance crews to mark fouled drains as they clean them. | |
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"Storm drain stenciling is a very positive project. Great community public involvement project. Easy to manage for local government." |
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IDEAS FOR ENGAGING YOUTH AND CITIZENS:
Build partnerships among these groups. Everyone needs clean water and it develops a sense of community to work toward it together.
- Classroom teachers often look for service learning projects and community action. They also need interdisciplinary projects combining science, social studies and language arts. Encourage them to combine stenciling with watershed activities from Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). Contact your state's Project WET coordinator.
- Eagle Scouts earn their Eagle rank by organizing and conducting a storm drain stenciling project. Even better, have the older troop include the younger boys in Weeblos or Cub Scouts (with adult supervision).
- Girl Scouts have a new Water Drop patch developed with help from EPA. It includes storm drain stenciling.
- 4-H clubs have access to an environmental action guide called EM Power. It includes storm drain stenciling.
- Local fishing clubs for trout, bass or fly fishers will want to protect fish habitat. They may see stenciling as a good community service project. Their assistance to teachers can add excitement and extra knowledge about fish for the students.
- Local Lakes Associations or Neighborhood Associations may want to inform neighbors that runoff from lawns, gardens and driveways goes straight to the local lake. That polluted runoff is often the cause of excessive lake weed growth and other related problems.
- Senior associations may want to work with kids at risk or youth clubs to do inter-generational community projects that make a positive difference.
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters in the midwest use stenciling as a community project with their kids.
- Church youth groups.
- Friends of the River organizations and Watershed Councils may sponsor stenciling events. In some areas, Groundwater Federation activities or Water Festivals may offer opportunities to take action in local communities.