Stafford County Protects Water Quality with Storm Drain Markers

Stafford County is situated within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, where protecting water quality is critical to the health of the environment. Stormwater is rainwater that flows through property and streets when it rains and does not infiltrate into the ground. It flows into surface water, taking with it any debris that may be in its path. Surfaces in an urbanized landscape collect pollutants, such as automobile oil, grease, brake pad dust and sediment from construction sites, bacteria from animal waste, excess lawn care fertilizers and pesticides. When rainfall washes these surfaces, runoff can carry high concentrations of these pollutants to nearby drinking water supplies, waterways, beaches and properties.Stafford County's Environmental Division promotes and supports the placement of storm drain markers on stormwater infrastructure inlets. Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) and Stafford County are collaborating to identify storm drains without metal markers that are marked "No Dumping" or "Drains to Waterways." The purpose is to reduce pollution by educating the public that everything that goes down these drains eventually makes its way to the river and on to the Bay.You can assist in this effort by submitting any private roads and neighborhoods that you see that have unmarked drains. Interested groups can fill out a form facilitated through the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR). FOR will choose eligible projects and coordinate all details and provide supplies. Once completed, Stafford County will collect the data of marked drains through this survey.For more information on Stafford County's Storm Drain Marking Program, visit https://www.staffordcountyva.gov/government/departments_p-z/public_works/community_development/environmental/stormwater_management/storm_drain_marking_program.php.