Storm drain stenciling

Why do we stencil storm drains?

The overwhelming majority of pollution in our local watersheds is from nonpoint sources, such as stormwater runoff. Pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns, animal feces, road and sidewalk salt, motor oil and other vehicle discharges, and litter are carried by stormwater through storm drains and into our local streams and eventually Lake Erie. Stormwater runoff typically does not pass through the sanitary sewer system and therefore does not receive any kind of treatment before discharging into aquatic environments where it can cause harmful algal blooms and other ecosystem damage.

Stenciling or labeling storm drains is a way to raise community awareness about stormwater pollution. All the water that enters our storm drains ends up in Lake Erie. That means any contaminated or polluted water, litter, or other hazardous materials ends up there, too. Stenciling our drains with messages like “Dump No Waste Drains to Brook” and “Lake Erie Starts Here” reminds passersby that anything that enters the drain also enters our waterways. The messaging encourages people to prevent harmful materials from going down the drain.

Record Data Here

After stenciling, take a photo of your datasheet and send it to info@dbwp.org

Data Sheet – Extra Copies

Map

Check out sites that have been stenciled by previous volunteers, as well as streets on our “wish list”! Streets in yellow are “wish list” streets, and streets in Red have already been done!

How to get Involved

Reach out to Emily@dbwp.org to find a good time to sign out one of our storm drain stenciling kits, and pick up your kit from our office at 12200 Fairhill Rd. Cleveland.

Instructions

1. Clean the area around the storm drain so that it is free of leaves and other debris

2. Carefully place your stencil on the pavement next to the storm drain. If there is a metal hood on top of the storm drain (like those in Shaker Heights), carefully place the stencil onto the hood. Make sure you can read the words, and that the stencil is not upside down or backwards.

3. Carefully spray paint the words in the stencil until it is fully painted.

4. Carefully lift the stencil. Make sure the message is clearly visible.

5. Take a few photos showing you and other volunteers at work and some examples of

6. Enter your data in this form or email the datasheet and photos to info@dbwp.org

 

Our storm drain stenciling map