By Kyler Plackowski
Special to the Review
A helpful scout takes part in the community by performing service projects around their neighborhood, so when Troop 128 scouts heard about the Clinton River Watershed Storm Drain Project scheduled for River Day (June 7) in Lake Orion, five boy scouts volunteered to join the work crew.
Storm drains are located at curbs and by roads to catch rainwater and bring it to a water source. To keep from polluting water sources, storm drains should be kept free of garbage and other non-decomposable materials.
Ms. Lauren Sharer, Recreation Programmer at Orion Township, taught the work crew how to clean storm drains. The crew, dressed in Class C uniforms to represent their troop, included Life scout Adam Stanley, Tenderfoot scouts Andrew Stanley, Dallas Kiefer and Kyler Plackowski, along with new scout Donald DeKeyser. Parents Maria DeKeyser, Scott Kiefer and Debbi Welch tagged along with a watchful eye and a helping hand when needed.
Ms. Sharer explained the directions for cleaning storm drains. Rubber gloves are used to protect everyone’s hands. Using a whiskbroom and dust pan (and sometimes their hands!), loose garbage is removed from the drain cover and placed in a garbage bag. A steel bristle brush and a jug of water helps loosen more debris.
Once the cement around the drain is cleaned, a stencil, cardboard box and orange spray paint is used to label each clean drain. The sign said, ‘What’s in your H2O? Help keep it clean.? Troop 128 scouts left their mark on 20 drains on Franklin Wright Boulevard and Wellsley Court.
Storm drains can also be cleaned by anyone concerned about water pollution on any given day. There are some ways you can help keep storm drains clear of debris. Clean up after your pets by bagging waste. Try to reduce pesticide use and fertilizer use, and try organic alternatives. Check vehicles for fuel or oil leaks. Always wash vehicles at a car wash, if possible, because the water used does not go to a fresh water source before being treated. However, for those people who like to wash their vehicles at home, park it on your lawn so rinse water can be used to water your lawn. These are some ways to make sure that only clean rainwater goes through a storm drain into the fresh water source by your home.
***
Kyler Plackowski is an 11-year-old scout in St. Mary’s Troop 128, and is working on his Journalism Merit badge.