Yellow Fish Road Storm Drain Marking Project

The Yellow Fish Road Storm Drain Marking Program was implemented in Blenheim and Ridgetown to remind residents that household hazardous products such as paint, paint thinner, gasoline, used motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides and other common chemicals should not be dumped down storm sewer drains. Only one drop of oil can make up to 25 litres of water unfit for drinking. Yet each year, it is estimated that Canadians dump 300 million litres of used motor oil into the environment. This is over seven times the amount of oil spilled during the Exxon Valdez accident. Water in the storm sewer system is usually not processed and cleaned by sewage treatment plants. Therefore, hazardous household products that enter a drain usually flow directly into rivers, streams and lakes, where chemicals in the products can harm fish, other aquatic life, wildlife and people's health. Household chemicals and automotive, pool and lawn care products should be disposed of responsibly to protect both our environment and our health.

Eighty-five elementary school students from two schools in Ridgetown, under the supervision of 14 teachers, parents and other volunteers painted yellow fish symbols beside three quarters of the storm sewer drains, approximately 450 of the 600 storm sewers in the town. The remainder are expected to be completed during 1997. At the same time, students distributed yellow fish information flyers to each household and business along their route. In Blenheim, approximately 180 students from three schools under the supervision of 30 adults spread out, marking each of the approximately 1000 storm sewers and delivering flyers to every business and each of the 1850 homes in the town. On-going maintenance of the symbols will be passed on to the participating elementary schools.

The students of these schools put forth a whole-hearted effort to increase awareness in their communities of the dangers associated with improper disposal of household hazardous wastes. They promoted the elimination of improper disposal of household hazardous wastes. This will result in improved water quality in Rondeau Bay and Lake Erie as well as in the Thames River and Lake St. Clair.

Yellow Fish Road Partners:

The generosity of local Blenheim, Ridgetown and Chatham businesses and the volunteer efforts of so many locals, truly made it all happen. Many thanks go to the following:

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