Storm Drain Stenciling

Help us spread the word about the effect each of us can have on our local rivers and streams! Stenciling the message Don’t Dump! Anacostia River Drainage” or “Do Not Pollute! Drains to the Anacostia River” over a few storm drains on the streets in your community is one of the best ways to educate your friends and neighbors about the environment. Signs like this provide lasting reminder that our gutters, driveways, streets, and sidewalks are all connected to the Anacostia River by networks of pipe and the flow of water during a rain storm. If we drop our trash and chemicals on our streets and sidewalks, they are bound to end up in our waterways sooner or later!

How it Works

AWS storm drain stencilings are run as group volunteer events, or in conjunction with our Watershed Explorers environmental education program (students love this activity!).

Please check our calendar for upcoming opportunities, or if you have a group of 4 or more interested volunteers, contact us and we will work with you to set up a specific date, time, and location for a stenciling project. If you are a teacher or a youth group leader, contact us to find out how you can plan a Watershed Explorers class featuring a stenciling project for your students.

Since the stenciling process and wet, humid weather do not mix, stenciling events are subject to rescheduling and cancellation if conditions outside are poor. Please contact us if you think the weather may be bad on the day you plan to attend. These projects are offered as a public service and are funded, in part, by government grants. AWS reserves the right to invite other members of the public to all stenciling events.

Donations in support of our stenciling activities are deeply appreciated.

What You Need

AWS will supply all the materials and equipment you need to complete a stenciling project; from the stencils themselves to gloves, masks, and paint (if needed). Storm drain stenciling is an outdoor activity, so please come dressed and prepared for the weather. Hats, sunscreen, and your own water bottle are always good ideas. You may do some walking, so please wear sensible shoes.