Stormwater Stenciling Program

Why Stencil Storm Drains?
The City of Olathe has two types of sewer systems: the Sanitary Sewer and the Storm Drainage System. The sanitary sewer system carries human and industrial wastewater to a treatment plant. The storm drainage system, which is composed of the open drainage grates and inlets along the roadways, carries untreated storm water runoff from roofs, roads, sidewalks, parking lots directly to the streams, ponds and lakes.

Each time it rains, pollutants such as trash, used automotive oil, yard waste (grass clippings, leaves) excess or improperly applied yard chemicals, sediment, and pet waste are transported by storm water directly to nearby streams, ponds, and eventually into the lakes (Olathe's drinking water supplies).

Storm drain marking is one way of reducing the amount of pollutants going down the drain. While it won't solve all of our pollution problems alone, the highly visible marker is a practical and easy first step toward public education and active involvement in storm water pollution prevention.

Who can participate?
Anyone who is concerned about water quality. Current Volunteers in the program include: families, students, homeowners and neighborhood associations to name a few.  Volunteers should be at least 10 years of age and supervised by one or more adults. The City requires that all volunteers sign a liability waiver. Participants under 18 years of age will need to have their parents sign and return the waiver on or before the stenciling day.

How can I get involved?
The City of Olathe has established "standard procedures" for volunteer groups, which provide guidelines for stenciling storm drain inlets. These guidelines were established to maintain consistency between groups and promote safety along busy roadways. Copies of the City's "standard procedures" for storm drain stenciling can be obtained by calling or e-mailing:

Program Coordinator, Carly Adams at (913) 971-9057, or
Public Works Dept., Danny Turner at (913) 971-6020

Storm Drain Stenciling Procedures

Before you stencil or place markers:
Obtain permission. Get permission to stencil or place markers to storm drains from the Olathe Public Works Department. Be sure to ask for a letter of authorization to provide you proof if a road crew or police officer questions you. Each group will only do drains along the curb lines of the roadways, stay off private property.

Keep weather in mind. Weather conditions are important for the success of the project. Choose a day when the pavement is dry and warm. Windy days are not good because the paint spray can drift onto nearby automobiles and debris can be blown onto painted surfaces. Wind also blows the stencil as it is carried around and increases the chances of getting paint on the volunteer.

Divide up the area. Using a neighborhood map, carefully consider the area your group will stencil or place markers. Divide the area into routes and assign a team to each route. A circular route works the best and brings the team back to the beginning point.

Notify the neighborhood. A day or two before you plan to paint or add markers, distribute fliers explaining the program. If you can't distribute the information ahead of time, have one or two team members distribute the fliers while the others paint or add markers.

Clean as you go. Bringing along garbage bags and picking up litter while you move from one set of drains to another makes the effort twofold. The removed litter will not find its way into the storm water system.

Storm Drain Stenciling Procedures

Description
Educate your community about storm water pollution by stenciling  the message "Dump No Waste, Drains To Stream" on each of your storm drains. You will also distribute fliers or submit editorials to your local papers that educate the community about storm water pollution and the stenciling activity.

Objectives
By participating in this activity your group will:

1. Learn about the sources of storm water pollution.
2. Understand why storm water pollution is a threat to the environment.
3. Stencil messages on storm drains to encourage others to be more aware of storm water pollution.

Time
It will take about one hour for each team of three-five people to stencil 15-20 storm drains.

Cost
There is no cost! The City will provide needed materials for each type of application. 

Materials (for each 3-person group)

• One or two stencils
• Fliers
• A map of locations (stenciling area)
• A parent/guardian permission slip
• Paint for approximately 15 inlets
• Whisk broom
• gloves
• Garbage bags

How to stencil

1. Scrub around the drain. Scrub the street area where you will paint with a cleaning brush and collect any debris in the garbage bags. Do not sweep into the storm drain!
2. Put the stencil in place. Position the stencil close to the front of the storm drain inlet where the message will be most visible.
3. Paint away! Spray paint the message making sure the paint doesn't get into the storm drain. Two light coats work better than one heavy coat. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. The message should last for several years on a paved surface.
4. Check for missed drains. When you're done with the project, have one team member check that all the storm drains in your area have been stenciled. It's easy to miss one! Keep a count of all the drains and mark off finished ones on a map the City will supply.

Storm Drain Marking Procedures

Description
Educate your community about storm water pollution by stenciling  the message "ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN" on each of your storm drains. You will also distribute fliers to educate the community about storm water pollution and the marking activity.

Objectives
By participating in this activity your group will:

Learn about the sources of storm water pollution.

Understand why storm water pollution is a threat to the environment.

Add markers to storm drains to encourage others to be more aware of storm water pollution.

Time
For storm drain markings, a team of two people can apply 10 markers in an hour.

Cost
There is no cost! The City will provide needed materials for each type of application.

Materials
Storm Drain Markers, adhesive, gloves, garbage bags, whisk broom, fliers and map of locations.

How to apply markers

1. Decide on location of marker, which requires the following: Flat concrete surface. On top or face of drain. Must be clearly visible.

2. Brush surface with whisk broom to clean it.  The remaining debris should be wiped or brushed away and disposed of in trash bag.

3. Apply adhesive to the marker, starting from the outside and working toward the inside.

4. Slowly place marker on the cleaned area, pressing or stepping hard to ensure that the adhesive covers the entire edge. Take care to ensure that the marker does not slide on the surface.

5. Wipe away excess adhesive if necessary.

6. Mark location on map.

Important Considerations

Surfaces must be dry and over 50°F for adhesive to properly set (some recommendations suggest at least 55°F).

Maintain consistency in marking, such as all markers are facing the same direction, all markers are in same location in respect to drain.

Mark only drains that are on public right of way areas, such as street curbs, and not on private property.

Be cautious of traffic.

Teams of two are advised per drain:  one to clean area and to apply marker, and one to help / watch for traffic.

Generally, it takes five minutes to mark one drain.

Safety Precautions While Installing Storm Drain Markers

Adhere to safety procedures.

DO NOT come in contact with glue (dangerous to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract).

DO NOT install markers on heavily trafficked streets or private property.

DO NOT smoke while installing markers, as the glue is flammable (see MSDS for more information).

Storm Drain Marking Safety Tips

Wear
Old, comfortable clothes and shoes, personal safety gear like sun protection, insect repellant, etc.

Avoid

1. Installing markers on heavily trafficked streets

2. Heat stress. (Drink plenty of liquids)

3. Smoking during marker installation

4. Any situation where you feel unsafe