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Give Water a Hand
Storm Drain Marking Campaign

The former Maumee RAP Storm Drain Stenciling Program has been revamped and updated by Partners for Clean Streams as the 4th installment of the Give Water a Hand Program. Tip Card #6 was the last tip card of the Give Water a Hand Residential Campaign. This tip card focused on the drains and ditches of our area, what they are for, and how they should or should not be used. The bonus item was a magnet of a storm drain stencil that was specially designed for our area. One suggestion in Tip Card #6, for people who wanted to make a difference, was to get involved in a storm drain stenciling program.

The new version of the Give Water a Hand Storm Drain Marking Campaign allows groups, organizations or individuals to partner with local jurisdictions to mark storm drain inlets. The marking lets people know that storm drains lead straight to our local waterways and do not get "cleaned" by a treatment plan. Anything that goes in a drain comes out in the nearest stream, which in our area leads to Lake Erie - our area's primary source for drinking water.

Copies of the updated Program Guide and Field Brochure, are available for downloading from the Publications Page. This updated program launched in Spring 2010.


BUYING POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS

All four Give Water a Hand Campaigns have been based on partnerships; communities and organizations working together toward a common goal of building environmental awareness. An additional benefit has been cost sharing/cost savings. The ability to increase the quantity purchased, reduce the amount of design/set-up fees, and the bulk shipping/handling costs have saved these partners lots of money.

In the Spring of 2010, ten communities participating in the Give Water a Hand Storm Drain Marking Campaign were able to purchase regionally customized stencils, specially designed door hangers, and disposable safety vests at nearly one-half the cost as if they had bought them individually. This combined buying power illustrates one of the many benefits of partnerships.

SDS Door Hangers



Storm Drain Stencil PROMOTING AND RECRUITING

Partners for Clean Streams has been the coordinator for updating and revamping the Give Water a Hand Storm Drain Marking Campaign. They coordinated the order for the materials listed in the section above. They also partnered with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to promote the Give Water a Hand Storm Drain Marking Campaign and the 8th Annual Partnering for Clean Streams workshop in March 2010.

At the Partnering for Clean Streams workshop, PCS trained over 160 girl scouts and other community youth
along with their leaders in the art of Storm Drain Stenciling. This SDS training was one of 8 stations that taught youth about water quality, quantity, and protection issues. It is expect that most groups that participate in the PCS Workshop will also be marking drains on April 24, 2010 - Global Youth Service Day. Promotion of the GYSD Give Water a Hand Storm Drain marking project will continued throughout March and April with over 300 volunteers expected to mark over 500 drains. Check back for more details after the event or call PCS is you would like to participate!




COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Many of the jurisdictions in our area participate in some type of storm draining marking program. Those list below purchased GWAH Storm Drain Stenciling supplies in 2010. Those marked with a "*" also utilized volunteers on Global Youth Service Day to mark their storm drain inlets and deliver information flyers in their community.
  • Partners for Clean Streams
  • Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments at 419-241-9155
  • Lucas County at 419-213-4540
  • City of Bowling Green at 419-354-9060
  • City of Oregon at 419-698-7047
  • City of Sylvania at 419-885-8948
  • City of Toledo at 419-936-3015
  • Village of Haskins at 419-823-1911
  • Village of Millbury at 419-836-9671
  • Village of Ottawa Hills at 419-536-1111
  • Village of Waterville at 419-878-8107
  • Township of Washington at 419-726-6621
    • If you would like to get involved and mark storm drains, contact you community at the number above or call PCS.

    For more Give Water a Hand information take a look at our Residential Campaign.




    For information on PCS Projects visit our Projects Page.
    If you are looking for other PCS programs not listed here,
    check on our Publications Page or contact us!