On Sunday Jan. 24, twenty Cub Scouts from Pack 727 (RISD’s Math, Science and Technology Magnet School) placed over 60 storm drain markers in the SpringPark neighborhood for the City of Garland to help keep pollutants out of storm water.
 
The markers read “No Dumping-This Drains to Creek” to make residents and passersby aware that water entering storm drains gets no further treatment and directly impacts fish and other aquatic life, birds and our drinking water reservoirs.
 
The boys also picked up 20 bags of trash from the areas around the storm drains. This conservation project helped them earn their World Conservation Badges.
 

The storm drain system is a separate system from the wastewater system that handles household by-products.  Unlike the wastewater system, storm drains carry everything that enters them to the nearest water source.  Anything put into the drain will end up in a nearby water body.

Furthermore, city ordinances restrict any person from intentionally placing items into storm drains.  Storm drain markers help increase this awareness, and combat this problem.  To report stormwater pollution call the Stormwater Hotline at 972-205-2180.

If you organization, civic group or homeowner’s association would like to volunteer for this environmentally-friendly project, call Stormwater Management’s Public Information Office at 972-205-2191 or email pbreysac@ci.garland.tx.us.