Photos submitted by Steve Jasiecki
MARGATE – Students at the William H. Ross Elementary School and the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School this week participated in a storm drain labeling project to ensure only water goes down the drain.
Teachers Jessica Quevas and Anita Grimley led the effort, which included, students, staff, parents, city workers and community volunteers.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade walked to storm drain locations near their schools to stencil “Dump No Waste – Drains to Waterway” and raise awareness about dumping pollutants into storm drains that carry rainwater to the bay and ocean.
Installation of 48-inch outfall pipes on the beach by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last summer piqued the curiosity of students and parents about how Margate’s stormwater management system works, Cuevas said.
Being consummate educators, Cuevas and Grimley seized the opportunity to teach not only students, but the community at large, about non-point source pollution.
Students learned that non-point source pollution occurs when rainfall washes chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, salt, oil, grease and bacteria from pet waste into the storm drains.
Students worked for week planning the project and learning how they can work to protect the fragile marine environment that surrounds them.
Students spent a few hours Tuesday and Wednesday on their local field trips painting the storm drains, some of which already had the message embossed into the grates. Students painted the raised lettering with yellow paint and the little fishes with blue paint.
The program was funded through a $900 grant from the New Jersey Education Association’s Pride Program, Cuevas said.
Rack cards will be distributed throughout the community to create awareness for residents and visitors.
Sustainable Margate Chairman Steve Jasiecki said the green team plans to follow the students’ lead and periodically label storm drains.
