Chester Students Raise Awareness On Stormwater Runoff Pollution

CHESTER, NJ — A couple of Chester students used their art skills to spread awareness on an environmental issue that is especially prevalent this time of year — stormwater runoff pollution.

Chester Borough officials wanted to spread the word on the environmental issue and asked students to create posters to raise awareness.

Two talented young artists’ posters won the contest, and their work is now being displayed in Borough Hall.

Water from rain and melting snow runs along gutters into catch basins and through storm drain pipes and ditches, eventually getting spat out into local waterways.

However, waste from human activity tends to get caught up in runoff, which also ends up flowing into these local waterways.

As so astutely pointed out by one of the artists, the pollution can cause “water contamination, algae blooms, health hazards for swimmers, and wildlife endangerment.”

The other artist issued a reminder for Chester residents: “Only rain in the drain.”

Other contaminants can include trash like fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, styrofoam cups, and toxins, including gas, motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet droppings, according to the borough.

“Human activity is largely responsible for the stormwater pollution,” a borough statement read. “Everything that we put on the ground or into the storm drain can end up in our water. Each of us has a responsibility to make sure these contaminants stay out of our water.”