Once the snowy streets gave way to melting and concrete in mid-May, National Honor Society
(NHS) students Sloanne Petersen and Abigail Strege put their talents to work stenciling “SAVE THE LAKE” near
storm drain inlets around Lake Alice.
This project is designed to bring awareness to residents that dumping in
storm drains pollutes lakes, rivers, bays, and streams. The City of Fergus Falls sponsored this project as part of
its effort to reduce pollution caused by snow melting and rain as they it moves over and through the ground,
picking up pollutants along the way (nonpoint source pollutants).
Much of the pollution in area streams and lakes comes from common, everyday materials, like household
chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline, used motor oil and antifreeze and litter. These substances are
washed by rainwater from our streets, yards, driveways and parking lots into storm drain inlets. Contrary to
what many people think, these storm drains don’t lead to wastewater treatment plants. They carry untreated
storm water directly into area lakes and streams.
The stenciled message SAVE THE LAKE reminds citizens not to dump waste into storm sewers or contribute
more pollutants to ordinary storm water runoff by littering, over fertilizing or sweeping yard debris into the
street. “Every citizen has a role in preventing pollution,” said Matt Harrington, Municipal Storm Water Manager
for the City of Fergus Falls. “Storm drain stenciling has been used successfully to reduce nonpoint source
pollution. These kinds of projects work because they get government, volunteer groups and businesses working
together to solve a common problem.”
Deliberate dumping of hazardous materials into storm sewers makes the pollution problem worse. Motor
oil is often dumped down storm drains, yet just one quart can ruin the quality of 250,000 gallons of water. Oil
and other hazardous substances should be recycled; dumping them is illegal in Fergus Falls.
Thank you to SCR for donating the stencils and to Abigail and Sloanne for selecting this project as part of
their NHS volunteer work.
Elizabeth Abrahams is the high school advisor for NHS. Also, SCR Solutions donated
the stencils.