What's Happening in Raleigh, NC…

In order to make residents aware of the connection between storm drains and water pollution, Raleigh is using public art.

Around the country, cities and other municipal agencies are calling attention to the fact that polluted water in the community’s storm drains can ruin waterways in the local area. Many community governments are using the slogan “Only rain down the drain” to make residents aware of the harm that can be caused when people dump trash, paint, and other contaminants down storm drains. Flyer printing can be used to call attention to issues like this.

Stormwater runoff, which is melted snow or rain that flows over ground or pavement rather than soaking in, can pick up pollutants before it gets to the nearest body of water. Natural pollutants are problematic in themselves, but when residents dump pet waste, wastewater, oil, grease, or trash into the drain, it makes the problem even worse. One of the reasons for the difficulty is that stormwater is not given the same purification treatment as drinking water. Increasing pollution at the storm drain means increasingly impure water further downstream.

To encourage people to stop dumping into the drains, Raleigh is painting its storm drains and areas nearby with brightly-colored murals, to remind people of the importance of clean water for everyone. According to USNews.com, one artist, Sarahlaine Calva, was painting a mural that so inspired a passerby, he decided to plant a garden to make the area even prettier.