Purpose: In Delaware, our runoff drains into the Delaware River, Delaware Bay or the Chesapeake Bay, where we spend summer days swimming, fishing and boating. Educating the public about pollutants contained within stormwater runoff is a vital, yet daunting task. This is why DNREC is working with municipalities on this issue, calling on volunteers in a coordinated effort to stamp medallions on storm drains in communities throughout the state.
Georgetown Storm Drain Marking Event
Aug. 22, 2008
The weather was great for the Georgetown Storm Drain Marking event, held the morning of Aug. 22, 2008. Almost 90 volunteers participated, including Georgetown's mayor and town council, the town's police chief, Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, Georgetown town staff, Delmarva Christian High School, Boy Scout Troop 95, Korean Veterans Association (Delaware Chapter #1), Sussex County employees, Harms Engineering, Representative Joe Booth of the 37th District, and candidates for office Bob Ricker, Mike Wyatt, Aaron Chaffinch, and Greg Fuller.
This event was held in cooperation with the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program, DNREC Nonpoint Source Program, Town of Georgetown, University of Delaware Water Resource Agency, and University of Delaware Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials.
Southbridge, Wilmington
October - November, 2007
In fall of 2007, a team of 10 teenagers from the Southbridge HOPE Commission Youth Employment Program spent two weeks marking storm drains in Wilmington’s Southbridge neighborhood. While marking the drains, the students also cleaned leaves and trash from the drains to help prevent street flooding.
The South Wilmington Storm Drain Marking project was initiated through the South Wilmington Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), a cooperative effort that seeks to revitalize South Wilmington in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner.
The storm drain marking project follows on the heels of a City of Wilmington initiative to clean debris and sediment from clogged sewer pipes in Southbridge. This work was recommended by the SAMP Drainage Study. The storm drain marking project is a great example of how community action and education can help support on-the-ground infrastructure improvements.
This project was a collaborative effort between the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program, DNREC Coastal Programs, and the Southbridge HOPE Commission Youth Employment Program. The City of Wilmington Department of Public Works provided the medallions, glue, and other supplies for the storm drain marking project.
Milton Storm Drain Marking Event
Sept. 8, 2007
On Sept. 8, 2007, the Storm Drain Marking Program took place in Milton, Del., where more than 15 volunteers from the community showed up to install attractive medallions stating, "No Dumping, Drains to River" to approximately 250 storm drains throughout the town.
On event day, volunteers were split into groups of three or more and given a map of the drains to be marked, a bag full of supplies, and instructions on why medallions are being installed and how to properly install them. Afterwards, every volunteer left with a tote bag having the logo of the medallion on the front.
This program was a collaborative effort between the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program, DNREC Nonpoint Source Section, Town of Milton, Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials, and the University of Delaware Water Resources Agency.
Funding was provided by the DNREC Non-point Source Section’s 319 grant (Clean Water Act).
Lewes Storm Drain Marking
April 19-20, 2007
In the spring of 2007, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) piloted a project in Lewes, Delaware, to affix nearly 500 medallions to storm drains throughout the city. Registration for this event was overwhelmingly successful, with more than 65 participants from local organizations including the Zwaanendael Club, Lewes in Bloom, Lewes Yacht Club, Surf Riders (local surfing group), Lewes High School Honors Program, and local consulting firm Envirotech.
Within 90 minutes, nearly all 500 storm drains in the City of Lewes had been marked. The pilot project was a success in every way, engaging conversation about the issues at hand, and involving community members of all ages in an effort to increase awareness about polluted stormwater runoff.
Participating agencies included the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program, University of Delaware Water Resources Agency, Center for Inland Bays, University of Delaware Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials, and the City of Lewes. Funding was provided by the DNREC Non-point Source Section’s 319 grant (Clean Water Act).
More Information
Brochure for Volunteers
Brochure for Mailing
Stormwater Magazine Article (Spring 2008)
