Surface Water Management Division
Storm Drain Stenciling
This is a great activity for families, scouts, community groups, and students. Get permission to stencil from the landowner then borrow a storm drain stenciling kit from our office. The message "DUMP NO WASTE - DRAINS TO STREAM" painted next to a storm drain or catchbasin, will remind neighbors that stormwater, and anything else that is dumped or spilled into the underground stormwater system, flows directly into local streams and eventually into Puget Sound. Road runoff is NOT sent to a sewage treatment plant.
What's in the Storm Drain Stenciling Kit?
Our kits contain all the basic stenciling supplies and safety equipment that you need (a stencil, a can of paint, gloves, orange safety vests, an orange safety flag, a whisk broom, paper towels, and a garbage bag). Kits may be borrowed for up to two weeks.
Stenciling Instructions
Adult supervision, at a ratio of one adult for every four youth, is strongly recommended. Transportation (if necessary) must be arranged by the group leader.
The pavement must be completely dry before the stencil is sprayed and must remain dry for 20 minutes after application. The air temperature should be between 40 and 90 degrees and the wind must be calm.
There are several jobs and most groups like to rotate so that each person gets to be the Painter. Jobs include: the FLAG-HOLDER watches for cars, the SWEEPER clears the area to be stenciled, the PAINTER gets to make the stencil, and the CLEAN-UP person carries the dirty paper towels and the supply kit.
Working from the sidewalk or shoulder of the public road, locate a flat area next to the slotted grate of the storm drain. Use the whisk broom to sweep away rocks, dirt, and other loose material. Place the stencil over the swept area so the message can be read from the sidewalk or shoulder.
Shake paint can vigorously for about 15 seconds. Hold the stencil flat. Tip the paint can upside down about FIVE INCHES FROM THE STENCIL and SPRAY WITH A SWEEPING MOTION. OVER AND BACK IS ALL IT TAKES! Even though the letters will not look very white, the stencil will be readable. RESIST the temptation to spray until the letters look completely white, once that much paint has been applied, the letters will begin to run together. If the stencil is unreadable, move on to the next storm drain, your next stencil will be better.
Avoid inhaling the paint fumes.
As soon as you finish spraying, lift the stencil off the road. Try to keep the stencil horizontal until you move it away from the painted message. If you have over-sprayed the extra paint may run off the stencil and drip onto your message.
Use the paper towels to carefully blot the excess paint from the stencil. Use one plastic bag for used paper towels.
Pick up all the dirty paper towels.
Clean-Up at the End of the Day
If cleaned up properly, the stencil can be used several more times. When you're done for the day, lay a strip of paper towels on a flat area, place the stencil on top of the paper towels. Use more paper towels to blot off the excess paint. Be very gentle near the letters and fish to avoid tearing the stencil. After most excess paint has been removed, place the stencil on a clean strip of paper towels and allow the stencil to air dry for about 10 minutes. When dry to touch, cover with a clean strip of paper towels and place in a clean plastic bag. Please clean as much paint as possible off of the stencil before returning it!
Stenciling Tips
Busy streets - Avoid stenciling on heavily traveled main roads. Stay in residential subdivisions.
Parked cars - If a car is parked within twenty feet of a storm drain move on to the next storm drain – don’t risk spray-painting someone’s car.
Private Property - Please respect other people's property. Don’t trespass onto private property.
Private Roads - Don't stencil private roads (apartment complexes, mobile home parks, shopping malls) unless you have permission from the landowner, if in doubt, move on to another area.
Public Roads inside cities - Snohomish County government only manages the public roads in unincorporated portions of the county. If you plan to stencil inside the limits of a city you’ll need permission from the Public Works Department of that city. The Blue Pages of your phone book should have the phone number you need.
Tips For Stencilers
There's a very good chance that you'll get paint on your clothing and shoes so WEAR OLD CLOTHES!! You may also want to wear gloves to protect your hands.
Tips For Group Leaders/Drivers
Prior to the stenciling day, walk, bike, or drive through the area you plan to stencil. In addition to getting an idea of location and number of storm drains, look at the area for potential safety problems: blind curves, hills where drivers would have a hard time seeing your group, mean dogs, etc.
For planning purposes you should assume 20 stencils per can of paint. Most groups can do about 20 stencils in an hour.
If your group will drive to the stenciling area, you should remove extra things from your trunk. You'll need all the space possible. Remember that the stencil will be covered with wet paint at the end of your event - it's wise to put a layer of newspaper on the floor of the trunk or cargo area to prevent wet paint from getting on your car.
Contact
Suzi Wong Swint, Watershed Education Program Coordinator, 425-388-6476