Fairmount School Students Spray Paint the Streets

Bangor, ME— 4th and 5th graders at Fairmount School in Bangor are partnering with the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the City of Bangor to spray paint a important message on the streets.

Sample storm drain stencil.

The students will visit the neighborhoods around the school in Bangor on June 15, 2011 to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO STREAM on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered to Kenduskeag Stream. The stencil also depicts a Rubber Ducky, which has become the symbol of stormwater pollution since the original “Ducky Ad” aired on television in 2005. This year a new advertisement featuring the red duck promoted safer lawn care, by encouraging Mainer’s to cut back on lawn chemicals, mow higher and leave grass clippings. In addition to stenciling messages next to the storm drains, the students will be leaving door hangers at houses to educate residents abut the project and stormwater.

Stormwater is rain that does not soak into the ground, but rather flows over the surface of the ground into the nearest body of water. As the water travels, it collects pollution such as pesticides, fertilizers, yard clippings, pet waste, loose soil, gasoline and oil. Storm drains act like funnels, transporting the stormwater from our streets and driveways directly into local waterways.

Chris Brewer of the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District explains that there are many things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution: “We are encouraging home owners to reduce or eliminate the use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers, pick up their pet’s waste, keep their vehicles well-tuned, and plant vegetation over bare ground and around bodies of water. All of these things dramatically reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, and improve water quality.”

The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work. For more information on BASWG and many stormwater friendly homeowner tips visit our website at www.baswg.org