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sewers by dumping chemicals on <br />driveways or streets and sweeping debris <br />and yazd waste into streets. The next <br />rainfall, then, carries the wastes directly <br />into storm drains. <br />A cooperative effort to help protect your <br />_ _ _ community's waterways. <br />Sponsored in part <br />by the Minnesota <br />Pollution Control <br />Agency <br />Background <br />Information <br />Your county household hazardous waste, <br />extension, soil and water conservation <br />district, or other local staff are planning a <br />storm drain stenciling project in your <br />community. This fact sheet explains the <br />purpose and operation of the project and <br />how public works' departments can assist <br />in this effort.. <br />Storm Drains <br />In every city and town, storm drains are <br />found on commercial and residential <br />streets. Storm sewers are designed to carry <br />rainwater from the street to nearby lakes <br />and rivers. <br />Unfortunately, storm drains are sometimes <br />used by nearby residents for waste <br />disposal. Often, water quality and <br />hazardous waste officials receive reports of <br />dumping into storm drains, most typically <br />motor oil and antifreeze dumping. In <br />addition to direct dumping, residents may <br />inadvertently dispose of waste into storm <br />Awareness about the role of storm drains is <br />essential to protecting our water bodies. <br />Few people realize that storm drains empty <br />directly into lakes or rivers, without going <br />through wastewater treatment plants first. <br />By raising this awareness, homeowners <br />and businesses can take an active part in <br />helping to keep wastes out of storm <br />sewers. <br />Storm Drain Stenciling Projects <br />Storm drain stenciling projects provide an <br />opportunity for volunteers to paint a slogan <br />on storm drains: Dump No Waste, Drains <br />to Lake/River. The stencil l15"x26", with <br />a 9"x21" image azea) is painted in the <br />gutter with curb-type storm drains or <br />directly on the street in front of grate-type <br />storm drains. <br />At the same DUMP NO WASTE <br />time that the ~~ ~ ~ ;~~ <br />dra1I1S are DRAINS O LAKE <br />stenciled, <br />homes and DUMP NO WASTE <br />h <br />businesses in the ~ ~~~ <br />area receive leaflets <br />DRAINS TO RIVER <br />describing the <br />project and asking <br />for help in keeping the drains free of <br />chemicals, debris and other waste. <br />Storm drain stenciling projects have been <br />undertaken in many areas across the <br />country in the past decade. Several <br />Minnesota communities have initiated <br />these projects and additional projects are <br />planned. These communities include the <br />cities of Eagan, Mankato, St. Paul and <br />Minneapolis; Olmsted, Beltrami, South St. <br />Storm n._ . <br />