Storm Drain Stencil

Storm drain stenciling is an important way to educate the community about the connection between our inland and coastal waterways. 

Why is this program important?

Urban storm-water runoff is considered the biggest contributor to coastal marine pollution.   Both human forces (irrigation runoff and illegal dumping) and natural forces (wind and rain) move trash and other pollutants into our natural waterways, storm drains, and flood control channels.  By stenciling the drains with the pollution prevention message, “NO DUMPING—I LIVE DOWNSTREAM”, we remind people that oil, soap, gum, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and chip bags don’t belong in the storm drains.

What is a storm drain?

A storm drain is not the same as a toilet or sink.  All of the materials that travel through the drains in our homes end up in the sewer system.  Many people believe that anything traveling down a storm drain will be cleanup up in our sewer system too.  However, there is a big difference between a sanitary sewer and the storm drain system. 

The sewer system takes all wastewater from toilets, sinks, and showers to a wastewater treatment facility, where the water is treated before it is discharge into coastal waters. 

In comparison, the storm drain system is designed to prevent flooding by carrying rainwater from city streets to the ocean.  Yet chemicals, trash, and oil that have been spilled between rains can also enter the storm drain system.  From here they enter pipelines that are not connected to the sewer system, and the water from the storm drains eventually flows, untreated, into the ocean, causing large amounts of pollution. 

Why should I participate?

By participating in the storm drain stenciling program, you are acting to educate your community about the harmful effects of improper waste disposal.  By marking the drains with a pollution prevention message, we remind people that no oil, soap, or debris should go down the drains.

How do I get involved?

Follow these basic steps to get involved in storm drain stenciling:

1. Search throughout your community for storm drains that need to be stenciled, or re-stenciled.
2. Call our office at (619) 291-0103 ext. 3003 to make sure that the area is approved for stenciling and that we have stenciling kits available for check out.  Please give one week notice prior to your stenciling so that we may get the kit together and arrange for pick-up.
3. Pick up the kit at our office, 4891 Pacific Highway Suite 115, San Diego, 92110.  Upon pick-up, we will go over proper stenciling instructions.  We require a $25 deposit for each kit, cash or check only.  Your check can be made out to I Love A Clean San Diego.  We will return the check when kit is returned on time with clean paint brushes.  In the event that kits are damaged or returned late, checks will be cashed.  Stenciling kits are loaned out for a one month period, unless other arrangements are made.

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information about this program, or to schedule your own stenciling project, please contact Morgan Justice-Black, Volunteer & Event Coordinator at (619) 291-0103 ext. 3003 or volunteers@cleansd.org.