Program on the Environment

Raising public awareness of stormwater pollution is vital to reduce polluting behavior and is required by the Clean Water Act of 1972. Furthermore, rising sea levels and seasonal flooding from heavy rain events are disproportionately affecting regions in King County. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of public education and engagement programs in raising awareness of stormwater pollution in the public. To determine the effectiveness of education and engagement programs I collected data through a pre- and post- survey from a group of the Duwamish Valley Youth Corp who participated in mural design workshops and stormwater education lectures. Additionally, I conducted research on effective public education, public outreach, effective use of signs and public art, and positive behavior change. Findings show that education and engagement programs are effective in raising awareness of stormwater pollution and have positive behavior change impacts. However, continued programs with the same group may lead to saturation of content and a decrease in effectiveness. As public education and outreach programs are both a time and financial commitment for local municipalities, understanding how much to invest for the most return can determine if a program will be effective and reach the desired goals.