What is “Storm Inlet Marking”? How the markers are applied: The Door Hangers, supplied by the City of Green Bay, are an integral part of your efforts as they serve to inform The City of Green Bay Public Works Department is 1. Clean the area: homeowners with a message similar to the following: asking residents to participate in “Storm Inlet Marking”. • Make sure the surface This application involves labeling storm inlets (catch where the marker will be Anything that enters a storm inlet is discharged basins), with a marker educating residents not to dump placed is flat, dry and free “UNTREATED” into the waterways we use for pollutants into the inlet (catch basin). The message, of any loose debris. recreational use. “No Dumping, Drains to Waterways” is a simple • Pick up any trash to phrase to remind those passing by that the storm inlets prevent it from entering Clean up leaves or grass clippings that connect to local waterways and that dumping will the storm inlet and put it in a trash bag. accumulate on your driveways, sidewalks, or in pollute those waters. • Use a whisk broom to lightly sweep the surface the streets. where the marker will be placed.

Sweep up and properly dispose of construction 2. Apply the adhesive disk: debris like concrete and mortar. Excess fertilizer and • Peel the backing paper soil should be swept onto green spaces.

from one side of the adhesive disk and apply Use phosphorous-free fertilizer and avoid pesticides, the disk by firmly and minimize your use of salt on driveways and pressing the adhesive sidewalks during the winter. Storm Inlet Marker disk to the curb. Then peel off the remaining Compost or recycle yard waste when possible. Supplied paper and apply the marker to the adhesive disk. Storm inlet marking materials are supplied by the City Dispose of household hazardous waste at of Green Bay Public Works Department. designated collection or recycling locations.

Organizations/Groups Clean up after your pets. It is a worthwhile, educational program designed for 5 th through 12 th grade students, local youth groups, Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a adults, community or church groups and Neighborhood lawn or other unpaved surface – not the driveway. Associations. 3. Apply the Storm Inlet Marking: Check for auto leaks - recycle used oil. Safety • Place the marker “NO DUMPING – DRAINS TO

Just a few safety precautions: WATERWAYS” so that

• All minor volunteers must be supervised by an adult. the wording is facing the

• Volunteers must wear safety vests. street. After applying the

• NEVER mark storm inlets alone, and be conscious marker, use a rubber

of vehicular traffic and use caution when crossing mallet on the entire

streets. surface of the marker to

• To protect volunteers’ hands, use gloves when press down onto the adhesive. This marker will

picking up debris near or on the inlet. notify other residents that nothing but storm

• Never pick up syringes or suspicious looking objects. water should enter the inlets.

• Don’t approach houses to place door hangers when

dogs are in the yard or on the porch.

• Stay away from parked vehicles. Group members

are personally responsible for property damages. • Be courteous to passersby and homeowners who

inquire about the project, hand out door hangers. Hang a door hanger (provided), on the residents’

doorknob. Be sure that the door hanger is secured to the

door so that it doesn’t blow away and litter the street. What are Storm Inlets? Taken Action At Home: Storm inlets along roadways or parking lots allow runoff water from rain or snow melt to enter into the • Sweep instead of hosing off the driveway, storm drainage system. The storm drainage system street, or sidewalk. Water runoff from driveways discharges directly into our local waterways. or sidewalks carries pollutants through storm drains and into waterways. Storm water runoff, or water left on impermeable • Lawn and garden chemicals. Use phosphorous- surfaces after a rain event, washes soil, debris, oil, free fertilizers and pesticides sparingly. Do not leaves, grass clippings, pet waste, and fertilizers into apply fertilizers or pesticides directly before or after storm drain inlets. The storm drain system is a network a rain event. of underground pipes designed to control flooding by • Safely dispose of household products and transporting storm water from paved ground to a motor oil. Many products should be recycled or waterway. Material flowing into a storm drain does not taken to a community hazardous waste center. get treated before emptying into our local waterways. • Compost or mulch yard waste. Sweep leaves or Simply put, “UNTREATED” storm water can pollute grass clippings that accumulate on your driveway, waterways. Although the individual storm drains may sidewalk, or in the street. contribute small amounts of pollutants, the combination • Clean up after your pet. Dispose of waste of many storm drains can cause a negative impact on properly. water quality. • Do not wash your car in the driveway. Use a commercial car wash or wash on the lawn.

City of Green Bay Department Of Public Works

Why Should We Mark Storm Drains? Contact Information:

• Storm inlet marking informs others about the street City Hall to waterway connection. 100 North Jefferson Street • Many people may not realize that water flowing into Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 storm inlets is “UNTREATED” before it empties into Department of Public Works our local waterways. • Polluted runoff can harm the City of Green Bay Room 300 Phone 920.448.3100 waterways –where we fish and swim and enjoy our Website: www.ci.green-bay.wi.us recreational time. • Storm inlet marking can be effective service learning or civic learning project for schools, scout groups, homeowner associations, or any organization wanting to make a positive impact on our community. • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Other Suggestions For Your Neighborhood.. recommends storm inlet marking for all “Adopt -A-Storm-Inlet” municipalities. “Adopt -A-Pond” “Protecting Our Greenways” “Adopt-A-Ditch” “Adopt-A-Creek”