Last week, volunteers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 14th Field Hospital and 63rd Expeditionary Signal Brigade assisted the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division in marking storm drains in the Liberty Woods housing area on Fort Stewart.
The Environmental Division staff supplied volunteers with spray paint and stencils, which were used to paint messages on 25 storm drains throughout the neighborhood. The messages are used to remind and inform residents that storm drains connect directly to local waterways and should be kept free of hazardous materials.
Annually, 25 different storm drains are stenciled on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, respectively. The benefit of doing so is twofold: the installation meets a regulatory requirement in order to remain compliant with state stormwater permits and the newly painted messages help promote proper use of storm drains.
Storm drains redirect water from paved areas such as parking lots and sidewalks by allowing runoff from these surfaces to quickly reach the nearest waterway to prevent flooding. When water enters a storm drain, it is carried through a conveyance system and discharged directly into local waters without treatment.
When not used properly, storm drains can discharge pollutants into our waterways, thereby degrading the water quality and diminishing the overall health of our environment. A healthy environment is critical to sustaining the Installation’s mission. Maintaining a healthy environment is the responsibility of everyone living and working on the installation.
DPW is currently seeking volunteers to assist with stenciling storm drains on Hunter Army Airfield in April. Those who are interested are asked to call 912-767-2010.
Here are some ways we all can help prevent stormwater pollution:
- Wash cars at an installation washrack for personal vehicles or an off-post car wash.
- On Fort Stewart, personal vehicles can be washed at the washrack located on Steel Ave. (behind the Commissary) and the AAFES self-service car wash (Bldg. 431) at the corner of Bundy Ave. and W. 5th St.
- There are currently no car wash facilities for personal vehicles at Hunter Army Airfield.
- Clean oil, grease, or chemical spills immediately and do not rinse the spill area with water.
- Periodically inspect your car for leaks and promptly repair any you find.
- Dry sweep garage floors and driveways instead of wet washing.
- Dispose of pet waste by flushing, burying, or trashing.
- Promptly pick up yard waste and bag for proper disposal.
- Use drip pans and funnels when changing fluids. Do NOT dispose of these in the woods. Recycle used oil and filters at autocraft shops on post.
- Fort Stewart: Libby Automotive Skills Center (Bldg. 1503) at 929 W. 6th St.
- Hunter Army Airfield: Hunter Automotive Skills Center (Bldg 1288) at 140 Leonard Neal St.
- If using one of these facilities to perform an oil change, there is no additional charge for disposal of oil and filters.
- If simply dropping off for disposal, there will be a $1/gallon fee for oil and $1 fee for filters.
For more information on the installation's stormwater program, please visit home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/about/Garrison/DPW/environmental/prevention-and-compliance/water.
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