Protecting our Watershed – The Stormdrain Stenciling Program
Our Stormdrain Stenciling Program (link to PDF brochure attached) helps to
educate our citizens about stormwater pollution and reminds them not to dump
pollutants into our surface and ground water systems. The program primarily
focuses on High School students and teachers who work with utilities staff to
stencil anti-dumping messages on or adjacent to storm water receptacles.
Stenciled messages include: “Dump No Waste Drains to Ocean” and “Dump No Waste
Protect Our Water.” Community members, who were notified about the program with
a utility bill insert, frequently come out and ask questions about the program.
As part of this same program, plastic markers are placed on storm drains in high
traffic areas and on highways by Public Utilities Staff.
Education in Our Schools – The Clean Water Cadet Program
Clean Water Cadets (video link currently on web page) is a Department of Public
Utilities educational program primarily focusing on 3rd and 4th grade students.
This program teaches students about water treatment, wastewater treatment, water
conservation, and storm water pollution prevention. Public Utilities staff members
present these concepts to the students and distribute
Clean Water Cadet coloring
books.
The students are encouraged to talk to their family about what they have learned
and are given “homework” in the form of “Do Not Dump” stickers that they are
asked to put on chemicals, or other items that should be kept out of drains.
Finally the students are given the opportunity to create and perform their own
public service announcement on the importance of water protection and water
conservation.
Tapping into Creativity – The Drop Savers' Contest.
In the Drop Savers' Contest Public
Utilities staff work with local grade school, middle school and high school art
teachers. The teachers help students create posters that promote water
conservation in creative and visually pleasing designs that include art and
information. Winning posters from each age group are posted in City Hall during
drinking water week. Winners are congratulated and given prizes by the Mayor,
City commissioners and posters are also shown on local cable TV. City contest
winners go on to compete in the State-Wide Drop Savers' Competition.
