The Tacoma Environmental Services Department surveyed its residents and found half did not know that stormwater runoff went right into Washington’s Puget Sound.
Knowing they needed to educate residents to help remedy the problem, utility leaders in 2017 created an outreach campaign on the theme “If it hits the ground, it hits the Sound.” It launched in 2018. The theme was the creation of ESD staff member John Inch, enviro-challenger educator, who teaches children in classrooms about water conservation and stormwater runoff.
The department treats about 10 billion gallons of wastewater per year for its more than 900,000 customers. It also maintains more than 700 miles of sewers that feed its Central and North End wastewater treatment plants.
Art Imitating Life
Sean Olson, construction manager and part of the Environmental Services team, observes, “We decided to kick the program off with art because with art you can share values and ideas to spread your messaging.” The program is paid for with ESD Outreach Stormwater Funds.
The campaign started with a mural painting contest around the city, using the theme line. With the Art Commission in the Public Works Department, team members identified six locations, and artists submitted ideas. Six winners then created murals around town. The utility supplied the paint, and the artists used their creativity to bring the theme to life.
The city received many positive emails and phone calls from people who walked or drove by and saw the murals being painted. The utility also created stencils for the Public Works Department to paint the theme line to put near storm drains and catch basins, where passersby would see them. Teachers reached out about adding a stencil or mural close to their schools.
Capitalizing on the success of the murals and stencils, the utility wrapped several vehicles, including a 53-foot landfill semi-trailer, with the theme line and artwork. “That’s like having a 53-foot billboard driving around town, giving our message more exposure,” says Olson.
Film Festival
In addition to the artwork, the utility in 2024 created a Ground2Sound film contest for all ages and experience levels. Short film submissions must showcase caring for ocean flora and fauna by reducing stormwater pollution that can damage the ecosystem.
The aim of the film was to amplify the theme, inspire activism and motivate work toward solutions. There are four age categories: Youth (12 or younger), teen (13-19), amateur adult and professional adult. First through fifth prizes are awarded in each category. Cash prizes range from $100 to $750.
The first film festival, open to the public, debuted in March 2024 with more than 300 attendees. A web page on the utility’s site is dedicated to the contest and highlights the winning films.
Along with the film fest is a photo contest on the Ground2Sound theme. The four winners each receive $75.
Metrics and Measures
As of last May, the utility’s Instagram film festival page had received more than 150,000 views and nearly 4,000 likes; just over 35,000 had viewed the winning videos.
For its campaign, Tacoma received a 2024 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Public Information and Educational Program category from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
Olson notes that Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards attended an event where the ESD group was promoting the campaign. She came up to them and said, “If it hits the ground, it hits the Sound!”
Says Olson: “We are definitely having an impact.”
