University of Wisconsin - Extension

Sounds like a bad idea, but it doesn't necessarily spell trouble, especially if it's part of a storm drain stenciling project. Volunteers in more than 100 Wisconsin communities have participated in programs to stencil "Dump no Waste, Drains to Lake (or Stream)" on more than 6,000 storm drain inlets.

The Water Action Volunteers (WAV), sponsored by UW-Extension and DNR, has released summary results of a 1998 Madison survey conducted to determine whether stenciled messages influenced people's understanding of storm water is-sues. The survey looked at two neighborhoods; one had been stenciled and one had not.

"Stenciling activ-ities do seem to in-crease recognition of one particular fact," notes WAV Coordinator Pam Packer. "People have an increased awareness that storm drains discharge to nearby waterways." Of the people who had seen the message, 71 percent said they knew that storm drains lead directly to a waterway, while only 40 percent of those who had not seen the message knew that fact.

Interestingly, survey results show that the message on the curb raised awareness of storm drains in a broader area than just the intended neighborhood. All respondents had difficulty remembering the specific location of the stenciled message, although most reported that they had seen it near their home. In fact, 67 percent of residents in the unstenciled neighborhood reported seeing the message near their homes, despite the absence of stenciled messages in their area.

While stenciling raises people's awareness, does it contribute to behavior changes?

"The survey results aren't clear on that point," says Packer, "but the message can enhance other storm water education programs and reinforce people already using environmentally friendly practices.

"The volunteer groups also benefit from annual stenciling campaigns," notes Packer, "and gain a sense of community involvement while contributing to environmental protection."

For copies of the survey summary or more information about the survey, storm drain stenciling projects and other WAV programs, contact Pam Packer at 608/264-8949 or visit the WAV Web site