Measure 3f:  Provide public education

“Inform public employees, businesses and the general public of hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste.”

The public education program for illicit discharges can easily be coordinated with the overall Public Education program required under Measure 1 of your permit. The Storm Drain is For Rain is a campaign is teach your citizens that the rainwater that runs off of their roofs, lawns, driveways, streets and business goes directly to streams, not to the wastewater treatment plant. If your citizens do not understand the direct connection between their activities and local water quality, it will be difficult to motivate them to take action to improve it.

An integral part of “The Storm Drain is for Rain” topic is teaching your citizens about illicit discharges. Explain to your citizens that they must NEVER pour chemicals or dump yard waste or garbage into the storm drain inlet. Also, make them aware of how to report any incidents of illicit discharges that they might observe. Public education about illicit discharges is one of the BMPs required under Measure 3.

The Storm Drain is for Rain educational topic also includes storm drain marking to increase public awareness about keeping pollutants out of storm drains. If citizens see storm drain markers, it is likely to facilitate reporting of illicit connections or discharges. Outreach materials on The Storm Drain is for Rain topic should also include information about the public reporting mechanism (generally a hotline or website – see Measure 3g).