Storm Drain Stenciling at Claysville Elementary School

Our fifth grade Earth Force team has taken on water quality issues this year and voted to adopt “storm drain stenciling” as our 2006-2007 Earth Force project. In October, we visited a section of Buffalo Creek at Dutch Fork and conducted a stream survey. We conducted pH tests, Dissolved Oxygen and nitrate tests on the water, investigated its temperature and velocity, and finally, took a biological inventory by safely collecting macroinvertebrates and studying their Taxa groups. We determined that despite some junk that was lying around, which was promptly collected, the stream was pretty healthy! In order to keep it that way, we realized that preventative measures were necessary in preventing any non-point source pollution from entering the stream. We had learned in science class that non-point source pollution is basically a fancy name that means the pollution is coming from more than one source, which makes it very difficult to trace. Prevention is the key. In order to ensure that Buffalo Creek remains a stream of good quality, we decided to take action and stencil Claysville’s storm drains with the words “No Dumping!” and a fish symbol. People must realize that all of the drains lead to precious waterways; polluting them could harm aquatic life. Furthermore, all of the things we are dumping down our drains and storm drains could potentially end up in our own drinking water. It is our hope that our stenciling of Claysville’s storm drains will encourage people to take notice and really think about what they are doing. In April, we contacted the members of the Claysville Borough Council and asked if they’d be willing to meet and hear our ideas. The council members graciously agreed to come to the school to hear a speech and song written and presented by us. After a question/answer session and brief deliberation, the council agreed that yes, we could move forward with our plans. On May 23rd, approximately a dozen storm drains were stenciled and student-created informational brochures were dropped off at local businesses. We are very proud of our project, and hope that it will cause people to think twice before putting any household hazardous wastes, such as antifreeze, oil, paint thinner, cleaners, grease, etc. down a storm drain.