Many people think that water pollution is caused by big business or large government facilities - places with pipes leading into the river. These are known as "point source" polluters. However, in recent years these sources have greatly reduced their negative impact on water quality. As a result, storm water run-off is now one of the leading causes of surface water pollution in DuPage County, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Non-point Source Pollution

In comparison to big facilities with identifiable pipes - "point-source" polluters, run-off is a "non-point" source of pollution. That is, the ultimate source of the pollution cannot be identified. These pollutants are used on lawns, left on driveways and roads, and allowed to go down curbside gutters into storm drains. Polluntants that come from "non-point" sources include:

Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, yard waste and other lawn care residues

Motor oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, anti-freeze and other substances that leak from cars onto driveways and parking lots

Street litter, pet wastes and other debris

Allowing these materials to go into a storm drain is the same as going up to a stream bank and dumping them in. This is because there is usually no treatment facility between storm drains and the river. Storm Drain Stenciling helps inform communities of this, because if people were more aware of the water drainage system, they would likely be more careful what they allow to go down storm drains.

Storm Drain Stenciling has been in DuPage County since 1992. However, stencils wear off and have to be restenciled regularly. Therefore it is an ongoing program.

Who Can Participate?

Families: Storm Drain Stenciling is a great family outing that teaches community involvement and helps the natural environment.

Homeowner Associations: Stenciling the storm drains in your subdivision can help protect nearby rivers, creeks and ponds that you and your neighbors enjoy.

School Groups: Classrooms, Student Clubs and Teams can stencil the storm drains near their school as part of a water cycle unit or a fundraising project.

Scouting Groups: Boy and Girl Scouts, Indian Guides and Indian Princesses can do Storm Drain Stenciling with their group as a service project.

Church Groups: Stewardship is made simple, fun and flexible through stenciling and it can be done for service days throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall.

Service Organizations: Storm Drain Stenciling is great for Kiwanis, Rotary, Garden, Women's, Men's and other clubs looking for community service projects.

Corporate Outings: Companies who are looking to extend a helping hand with a fun bonding experience can do so on their own schedule. No group is too large or too small for stenciling.

Supporting Municipalities in DuPage County
Approvals from the following municipalities have been confirmed by The Conservation Foundation. If your municipality is not listed, we will be happy to work with you to get approval in your area.

Available Stencil Messages

DUMP NO WASTE!
DRAINS TO RIVER

Many storm drains take stormwater run-off directly to nearby river and tributaries without passing through a treatment facility. The water picks up various pollutants as it drains, which can negatively impact the river's plants, wildlife, and water quality.

DUMP NO WASTE!
DRAINS TO LAKE

Some storm drains first take stormwater run-off to retention ponds near schools and subdivisions before going directly into the river. These ponds are often human-made for recreation and stormwater management. However, they still serve as habitat for plants and wildlife which are susceptible to pollution.

How to Get Involved

1. Choose a date and location for your outing.
   
2. Contact the Foundation at 630-428-4500 to get a contact for the municipality where you plan to stencil. You should also schedule a time to pick up your stencils, paint, log sheet, and fish shaped door hangers from The Conservation Foundation office in Naperville.
   
3. Contact your municipality and make them aware of your planned stenciling outing. They will provide safety vests and/or cones for your outing to ensure the safety of your group. Some municipalities may also be able to provide you with storm drain maps.
   
4. Assemble the supplies you are responsible for: Old clothes and shoes to wear; a whisk broom and/or wire brush to clean the surface to be stenciled; sheet of cardboard (broken down box) to guard against drifting paint; old rags and bags for cleaning up materials; latex or work gloves for paint overspray.
   
5. As you are stenciling, talk with neighbors about the program and the need to reduce "non-point source pollution." You can use the fish shaped door hangers supplied by The Conservation Foundation. When you're finished submit your logsheet to us and we will forward your data to the national organization sponsoring the program -The Center for Marine Conservation.

You're ready to stencil storm drains and help preserve our lakes and streams!

For more information contact Sue George at 630-428-4500 Ext. 22