Sewer Stenciling

The following capital project has been completed recently in various locations in the communities surrounding Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority's Brush Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The sewer stenciling (as seen in the photo below) was done for compliance with the Plant's NPDES Permit requirements.

SEWER STENCILING FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

WHY?

Stenciling next to storm sewers alerts others to the fate of runoff water and the pollution carried with it from lawns and streets.

WHAT KIND OF POLLUTION?

Road salt, ash, litter, lawn chemicals, and other debris improperly disposed of in the storm sewer system.

WHERE DOES RUNOFF WATER FLOW?

Most storm sewer systems ultimately discharge into local waterways such as a creek or stream.

WHO CAN DO STORM SEWER STENCILING?

This is a community project.  Local community groups; Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, churches, schools, civic organizations, and neighborhood associations can all help.

WHERE DO WE OBTAIN THE MATERIALS FOR STENCILING?

The materials are provided by WWMA and may be signed out at the Plant located on Route 993 in North Huntingdon Township.  When the stenciling is complete, all materials should be returned to WWMA so that others in the surrounding communities may participate in this project. 

 Materials Provided by WWMA

• Reusable stencils
• Traffic zone latex spray paint (Note: 1 can = 10 storm sewers)
• Wire brushes and brooms to clean the gutter before painting
• Traffic safety vests and cones
• Garbage bags (for litter removed from the gutter)
• Clean-up rags
• Storm Sewer Stenciling Program Fact Sheets to hand out to community members

 How-To Guide

• Obtain permission from your city or public works department to stencil the storm sewers.  Also, obtain permission from local business owners where storm sewers are in private areas.
• Notify the media of your upcoming event.  The more people who know about it, the better!
• Choose a dry, sunny day.  The pavement should be dry and warm.  Avoid rainy days, as the stormwater will carry your paint down the drain.  Avoid windy days, as the spray paint can drift onto nearby cars.  Make sure that your team members are wearing safety vests.  Use traffic cones to alert oncoming traffic of your activities.
• Use a wire brush and whisk broom to sweep the dirt away form the storm sewer inlet, so the paint will stay.
• Position the stencil next to (not over) the storm sewer inlet where the message will be most visible. Avoid areas where dirt and leaves will collect and cover the message.
• Spray paint the message taking care that the paint doesn't go down the drain. Two light coats are better than one thick coat. Consider using a cardboard box that is cut open, as a shield from drifting paint over-sprays. Stenciled messages last about two years on a paved road.
• While some team members are stenciling, have others visit local residents and businesses to hand out fact sheets and to explain what the activity is all about.
• Clean up after you are done. Place the stencils in a plastic bag for transportation. Return all stencils, traffic vests, cones, brushes, brooms, and unused paint to the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority's Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Plant on Route 993 in North Huntingdon Township, so that others can take advantage of this opportunity.