Think about the way water rushes into a storm drain in the middle of a parking lot or alongside a street. Ever stopped to wonder where the water goes?
In West Haven’s case, all that water goes straight to the shoreline, carrying trash, leaves, soil sediment, fertilizers and toxic materials — pesticides, household cleaners, gasoline, motor oil — with it. It ends up in the water we swim in.
The city’s new Storm Drain Marking Project aims to educate the public on the connection between storm drains and local waterways and to remind them that storm sewers are for water, not trash or toxic materials. West Haven’s reputation and community health depend on the quality of its shoreline waters.
Storm drain stenciling is done on residents’ schedules, with them deciding how many drains they want to stencil. Scout groups, middle school-age students — with adult supervision — and high school-age students, as well as civic and church groups are potential participant teams.
A free orientation for volunteers is offered by the Sustainable West Haven team from 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 17 at 15 Laurel St. Register for the orientation at http://bit.ly/stormdrainproject.