Kim Fundingsland/MDN Heidi Super, Minot State University biology professor, helped spearhead a project that involved painting a message adjacent to storm drains. About 180 storm drains received the inscription Friday.

The message is pretty simple. Several storm drains in Minot were marked recently with a colorful reminder that what flows down the drain enters the Souris River where it impacts both the chemistry and health of the water.

Heidi Super, Minot State University biology professor, worked with other MSU biology department faculty members and volunteers to lead several groups of students, about 60 of them, who participated in the storm drain project last Friday. They used metal stencils to paint a message adjacent to storm drains that reminds people where the water goes. The message reads: “Drains to Souris River.”

“We don’t want people to think that no matter what you put down a drain in the city that it can be treated and made safe and strained and cleaned up,” said Super. “We want awareness. Straws, plastic bags and things are a big problem in the river for fish and turtles and wildlife. Fertilizer and oil from streets affect the chemistry of the water too.”

The project, which mirrors what is being done in other cities in the U.S., was started on a smaller scale a year ago by Tom Johnson, senior water resource engineer with Ackerman-Estvold. Super seized on the idea. It was a perfect opportunity for incoming MSU students to participate in the pilot project and meet a requirement of a first year experience class.

“I thought maybe we’d do 25 to 30 storm drains around the university,” said Super. “Lo and behold, we got pretty good at it and did close to 180!”

The total drains marked with messages in blue or orange paint is estimated to be only 5-10% of the drains in the city. So far the project has been limited to the immediate MSU area and some drains located west of the university.

“Keeping our water clean is something I’m passionate about,” said Super. “We hope this becomes a community opportunity for anybody who wants to do more. It would be great if we could make these templates available to be able to be checked out, such as by service clubs.”

The City of Minot gave approval for the project, even offering assistance when volunteers might encounter safety concerns in high traffic areas. Super says the time is right for the project while a major flood protection project continues throughout the city.

“There’s a huge push to make the river more of our culture. We want people to think of the river,” said Super.

In addition to MSU students and faculty, other participants in the storm drain project have included Minot High School Central Campus students and Friends of the Souris River.