Drains Aren’t Dumps!
Help protect waterways by reminding people that Drains Aren't Dumps and by marking storm drains in your community.
Volunteers will be given all the materials and instruction they need to mark drains.
Our goal is to reduce pollution entering our local waterways through public education and outreach. Local waterways – creeks, streams, lakes, and rivers – are effected by pollutants that flow into our storm drains because water that flows into storm drains does not get treated or cleaned. Any pollutants that go into a storm drain flow directly into our waterways. These stormwater pollutants negatively affect water quality for people, fish, and animals.
We use storm drain markers as visual reminders to City and County residents that storm drains lead directly to local waterways. The City of Columbia and Richland County use weatherproof medallions with the image of a fish and water, along with “No Dumping/Drains to River” stamped in large letters.
Properly disposing of pet waste, keeping yards free of trash, recycling motor oil, and reducing pesticide and fertilizer use are a few actions residents can take to help keep our waterways clean.