A Hubbard teen is earning his Eagle Scout award while helping the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District spread its message of stopping water pollution.
Hubbard High School sophomore John Masimore, a member of Boy Scout Troop 100, worked with SWCD in placing markers on storm drains in neighborhoods by the high school and also handing out informational fliers to residents on ways to stop water pollution.
Assisting him were five members of the troop and Masimore's father, Kevin.
He said 30 drains were marked with bright white and green decals with the message ''No dumping, flows to creek.''
Masimore said the idea for the project came after he saw an ad where the SWCD needed assistance in marking drains.
Amy Reeher, watershed coordinator for the SWCD, said Masimore got the approval of the city officials and received a map indicating where the drains on Hall, Scott, Church and Viola streets were located.
Reeher said there has not only been problems with debris in the drains, but also leaves and branches, which clog the system.
She said each time it rains, water washes over the streets and driveways and yards, picking up pollutants which go into the storm drains. She said the runoff contains pollutants such as motor oil, pet waste, lawn chemicals and anti-freeze, which pollute the water, clog pipes and culverts and can lead to flooding.
"This is non-point source pollution, which is the largest threat to our waterways," she said.
Masimore said he was glad to be able to educate the public through his project about protecting the waterways.
Reeher said the public can help address the problem by properly disposing of hazardous waste, recycling used motor oil, keeping yard waste, trash and dirt off the street and out of the gutters, and cleaning up after pets.