It’s no small
task to bring together a community to inform the public of the hazards of
nonpoint-source pollution. Since the state of New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection announced that up to 60% of drinking-water problems
have been caused by storm drain runoff, the Bethlehem Township Environmental
Commission has embarked upon an action plan. The objective was to educate
citizens on how we all play a part in the solution to pollution. The commission
responded to the state’s stormwater management education requirements in part by
doing storm drain marking.
Selecting a
Marker
The first step in
our campaign was to determine which type of marker we wanted to use. Our options
consisted of stenciling, plastic plaques, and metal markers or of replacing the
existing storm drains with expensive precast storm drains containing a message
warning citizens not to dump pollutants into the drains.
From past
experience, we have learned that stenciling, although inexpensive, is messy and
lasts only about two years. After a while, it ends up looking like graffiti and
needs to be reapplied. It also poses a safety concern because of the aerosol
spray paints used, and when the paint washes away, it goes down the same drains
we’re trying to protect.
Precast storm
drains are the most costly option and require professional installation. Plastic
plaques do not last as long as metal because they can crack, chip, and fade over
time. We were also concerned about the tripping hazards of using plastic. After
the adhesive is applied, the plaques sit up higher on the pavement than the
metal markers, which have a turned-down edge. For that reason and the fact that
the metal markers have a 30-year warranty, we elected to go with Almetek
Industries’ stainless steel markers.
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Embossed, 3D storm drain markers were quickly and easily
installed. |
It’s important to
choose a product that you’re confident in and that is cost effective. The
markers we chose were 4 inches in diameter and 3D-embossed for long-lasting
legibility. They install easily and quickly and will remain permanently in
place. They can be installed on virtually any surface and offer a variety of
installation options. Because they are guaranteed for decades, we won’t have to
replace them every few years.
Nearly all markers
or plaques used on storm drains discourage deliberate dumping. Some communities
focus on a particular material, such as motor oil, while others warn against the
dumping of chemicals. Regardless of the message, the most important idea to get
across is that storm drains lead to open waterways.
Some communities
specify on the markers which type of waterway the inlet drains into—for example
“Drains to Creek” or “Drains to River.” Graphics can be used to refer to some
specific topic or local interest. Chesapeake Bay, MD, used the image of a crab
on its markers to remind passersby that pollutants dumped into the storm drains
will go into the bay and will harm the crab industry. Almetek Industries offers
markers with various types of wildlife symbols (frogs, fish, lobsters, turtles,
etc.). We chose a metal marker, painted blue, with a fish in the middle. The
marker reads “No Dumping–Drains to River.”
Organizing
Volunteers
The second step is to
determine who will be marking the storm drains, and this can be carried out in a
variety of different ways. In some cases, communities use their own public works
staff to do all markings. These towns may feel that having their own crews do
the work produces better results and eliminates liability and safety concerns.
However, in our area, volunteer groups are a necessity.
If a civic group,
association, or local environmental group initiates the project, it must obtain
the support and cooperation of local authorities. Storm drains are city or
township property, and local ordinances or policies may prohibit marking them
without permission. Most communities will want certain safety measures in place
before volunteers can start marking storm drains.
In New Jersey, it
is more common for storm drain marking programs to use volunteer groups for
labor, with the city or township providing supplies, safety equipment, and other
forms of support. Either side may initiate this public/private partnership. Our
project helped fulfill the New Jersey stormwater education requirements under
the new stormwater management regulations.
We have found
using volunteers is a good way not only to get ordinary people involved in
stormwater issues, but also to provide an opportunity for cities and counties to
meet one of the minimum control measures of the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II requirements. Cities and counties are
required to educate the public about the effects of stormwater discharge on receiving
waters—not an easy task to achieve. It is often difficult to get the general
public interested in stormwater issues, because the topic is hardly trendy or
intriguing to most people.
To obtain the most
volunteers, we decided to target various groups in the area. First, we created a
flyer that was distributed to various organizations throughout the community.
This flyer gave the necessary information, such as what was being planned,
dates, and times. Next, a similar letter was posted in the township newsletter
and the local newspaper. We wanted to make sure that we were able to distribute
the request to everyone in the community. Through our efforts, we were able to
organize volunteer groups including Scouts, schoolchildren, parents,
Environmental Commission members, and other interested
parties.
Planning for
Marker Installation
Once we were sure
that we had sufficient volunteer participants, we worked with the Department of
Public Works to prioritize drains for marking. Because of funding restraints, we
needed to make sure that we selected drains that would send the message to the
maximum number of citizens. We chose storm drains that were in high-traffic
pedestrian areas and that lead to water bodies where nonpoint-source pollution
has been identified. We identified the drains according to the stormwater
management requirements. The markers were to be installed on streets with
sidewalks (most streets in Bethlehem Township do not have sidewalks). We also
chose to label both sides of the streets, although this is not required by the
regulations. In addition to those in the developments with sidewalks, we labeled
many other township streets.
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Children working as a team to help reduce stormwater pollution |
The next step was
to determine where to place the markers. The markers can be positioned in
several ways. Some communities place the marker on the head of the storm drain,
while others put them on the sidewalk next to the drain or on the drain itself.
Some install them in the street in front of the drain. We elected to install
them on the top of the head of the drain.
Before beginning
our storm drain-marking project, we trained volunteers in three areas:
technique, safety, and information. Instruction was provided on preparing the
storm drain surface with the wire brush, applying the adhesive to the marker,
and installing it. Volunteers were warned against applying too much adhesive,
which can spread beyond the turndown lip of the marker. They were also advised
to wear old clothes and rubber gloves.
Rollout
Armed with Almetek’s
stainless markers, a caulk gun, construction adhesive, a wire brush, and latex
gloves, each group of three or more volunteers was sent out to mark the storm
drains on the map. A handout explaining why we were labeling the storm drains
was also provided. In addition to labeling the storm drains, volunteers carried
literature about stormwater and placed “door hangers” on mailboxes informing
residents about the stormwater regulations and storm drain
labeling.
Five hundred markers
were installed on storm drains over two weekends. The installation went quite a
bit faster than we had anticipated and resulted in labeling not only of the
state-required storm drains along roads with sidewalks, but also of many other
residential developments. There are plans to install another 350 markers, which
should complete the labeling of all storm drains in Bethlehem
Township.
Since using storm
drain markers, coupled with public education, we anticipate improvement in our
waterways. The environment has started to regain its wildlife and aquatic
habitats, its aesthetic value has increased, and our recreational waters are
becoming available for swimming and fishing once more. The public has given us
favorable feedback. There has been a noticeable reduction in maintenance costs.
People see these markers and think twice about dumping down the drain, leading
to a reduction of necessary litter removal. It also helps our community meet
environmental directives and prevents possible penalties.
Stormwater
pollution from runoff is a serious
public health risk and the biggest environmental threat to the quality of our
lakes, rivers, streams, and local waterways. But once educated, people will be
prepared to change their behavior. They will understand that their actions have
a direct and harmful effect on our waterways.