Is anyone aware of or has anyone done any message testing related to storm drain stencils? I know the general rule is to tell people what we want them to do rather than what we don't want them to do. Hence 'Keep Our Waters Clean' vs. 'Don't dump', but has anyone tested various messages for storm drains? I am wondering how "Only Rain Down the Drain" will play? I wonder if people will make the connection? Plus thinking about the research I have read over the years that "clean water" plays well - if "Keep Water Clean, Drains to Stream" would be more effective or less effective?
Thanks for any help.
Kathy Hoppe
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
United States
Looking for Stencil Message Testing Results
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Have you heard of Yellow Fish Road (http://www.yellowfishroad.org/)? The program does exactly this - engages and educates the community through the placement of stencils on stormdrains. Their "slogan" is Rainwater Only.
The City of Calgary includes some messaging on their storm grates (shown in the picture), but it's more about what not to do.
Amy Ross
Public Program Coordinator
The City of Calgary
Canada
calgary.ca
Hi Kathy,
I tried a different option recently by engaging local artists to do a 'drain art' program in a small suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The artwork was really popular and gained media attention: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/belgrave-platypus-awareness-week-starts-april-28-with-melbourne-waters-urban-platypus-program-now-in-its-19th-year/story-fngnvlxu-1226893364904
We conducted intercept surveys and found that awareness of platypus conservation issues rose significantly after the drain art/'platypus awareness week' that we ran (ie: identification of litter as a threat to platypus prior to the program was 22% of respondents and 50% after the program). Unfortunately we did not see any significant decrease in litter though. I am still finding it hard to crack that transition from awareness to behavior change!
We have previously run an "I love living in XXXX creek" drain stenciling program with pictures of frogs/platypus/fish etc and the name of the local creek, but I have no stats of effectiveness.
There is also a "Don't mess with Footscray" program currently running https://cityofmaribyrnong.com.au/2015/05/28/dont-mess-with-footscray-councils-new-anti-litter-campaign/ They used artists to design artwork that was then printed on adhesive ground decals and stuck onto the ground (again, no stats that I'm aware of as I'm not connected with the program, but you could contact them directly).
Please let me know if you come across any other similar programs/results.
All the best,
Tiana Preston
Waterwatch Coordinator
Melbourne Water
Australia
check EPA Victoria AUstralia http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/water/stormwater/what-can-we-do-about-urban-stormwater-pollution
Russell Anderson
Workplace Trainer
Australia
Hi Kathy,
Here at Willoughby we've had a drain stenciling program for over 10 years, but a similar story to other comments posted regarding no stats of effectiveness.
Our messages are simple, for example listing the name of the creek (Flat Rock Creek) or the end point of where the water finishes (Middle Harbour). Some other messages include, 'It starts here' or 'Where does it go?'.
Where possible we try to involve local schools in the painting process, including the drains within the school grounds.
If you find any info regarding the effectiveness of particular messages I'd love to know.
Good luck,
Stuart Hall
Natural Assets Officer
Willoughby City Council
Australia
...
Hello,
Have a look at the drains by the City of Taupo, New Zealand. My husband and I were on vacation in NZ about five years ago. They use an image of a fish cast in the metal as part of the grate. Very attractive (almost public art) and the message is clear. Their approach would obviously be more costly than paint, but lasts forever. Cheers,
Joan Chess
Fraser Basin Council
Canada