storm drain protection

OvERVIEW

Storm drains are located throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in neighborhoods, towns, and cities. They are designed to efficiently divert water off streets and parking lots by directing stormwater into a local stream or river. Unfortunately the water that flows into storm drains often carries many pollutants including trash, sediment, nutrients from fertilizers, toxics from pesticides, household cleaners, gasoline and motor oil. Many people who are unaware of this problem dump paint, yard waste, plastics and other pollutants down the drains, assuming the water will be directed to a treatment plant before entering local waterways.

By participating in a storm drain marking project, you and your students can help to clean up the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Storm drain stencils/decals which read: “Don’t Dump – Chesapeake Bay Drainage” help to build awareness in the community and prevent pollutants from entering our waterways.

Important Note:
It is very important to get permission from your city public works office to stencil storm drains (also from business owners in private parking lots). Typically you must provide them with the following information:

• the neighborhood where you want to do the project
• the message you are painting on the storm drains ("Chesapeake Bay Drainage" on the vertical side or gutterface, "Don't Dump" on the horizontal side or catch-basin)
• who is participating in the project
• who will supervise the project

Follow up with a letter if necessary and allow six to eight weeks for written approval.

Time

Allow 30 minutes per storm drain including drying time. Keep in mind that the more drains you do, the less time each one will take. One stencil will serve a group of thirty participants. Try breaking large groups into teams, and then assign tasks or work in an assembly line format.

land use

Storm drains are located all around the city and are likely to be just on the border of your schoolyard, if not a part of school grounds. Maps of local storm drains can be purchased for a small fee from DC Water and Sewer Authority by calling or visiting their office at: 5000 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20032 .

Materials

Materials needed for storm drain stenciling include “Don’t Dump” or “Chesapeake Bay Drainage” stencils, which can be borrowed from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a small fee, outdoor latex paint, brushes, masking tape, and newspaper or rags.

For a detailed list of necessary materials please visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s site.

The DC Soil and Water Conservation District Citizens' Advisory Committee offers FREE storm drain markers (decals) for school groups. The project takes approximately an hour and must be done in dry weather about 50 degrees. The decals cannot be scratched or damaged and will last for 10 years. They are in English and Spanish. For more information download their Storm Drain Marker Program information sheet.

EDUCATIONAL THEMES

Water quality, stormwater runoff, raising community awareness

Additional resources

The DC Soil and Water Conservation District Citizens' Advisory Committee offers FREE storm drain markers (decals) for school groups. The project takes approximately an hour and must be done in dry weather about 50 degrees. The decals cannot be scratched or damaged and will last for 10 years. They are in English and Spanish. For more information download their Storm Drain Marker Program information sheet.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Storm Drain Stenciling

Environmental Protection Agency: Public Participation – Storm Drains

Earthwater Stencils, Ltd.

Maps of local storm drains can be purchased for a small fee from DC Water and Sewer Authority by calling or visiting their office at: 5000 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20032 .