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Raising Awareness

Pima Association of Governments’ Stormwater Management Working Group annually conducts a multi-media outreach campaign during the monsoon season to help the public learn about the importance of preventing stormwater runoff from carrying contaminants to our fragile desert washes.

The “Clean Water Starts With Me” campaign, which runs from June to September, helps member jurisdictions meet regulatory requirements.

In 2010, PAG introduced the campaign message on Facebook and in Arizona Bilingual magazine. As a friend on Facebook, you you can learn about current events, entertaining information, and how rainwater harvesting can used as a solution to stormwater pollution.

Former slogans you may recognize included the following messages: Don’t Trash Your Wash, We are all Working to Prevent Stormwater Pollution, and Fix Leaky Vehicles.

  • Our message is displayed inside 150-200 Sun Tran buses annually.
  • PAG has distributed nearly 50,000 English and Spanish brochures since the program started.
  • Our TV and radio ads reach approximately 800,000 people in the Tucson region.

The Working Group also conducts a seminar targeted to the construction industry. The seminar gives the construction industry an opportunity to learn about the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) permitting process, allowable and non-allowable discharges, best management practices for arid regions, and a chance to discuss stormwater issues with jurisdictional representatives. Seminar participants now receive Flood Plain Manager Continuing Education Credits. Click here for more info.

The success of this campaign has led other Arizona communities to conduct similar outreach efforts, such as their own construction industry seminar.

Get to Know Your Neighborhood Wash: They Are Ours to Protect!

One of the goals of "Clean Water Starts With Me!" is to aid the community stewardship of our valuable desert waterways. Click on the map to learn the names and locations of our local watersheds and nearest desert rivers. Share your knowledge with your neighbors to help decrease pollutant stress on our stormwater quality.

These maps were produced by TerraSystems Southwest for Watershed Management Group, using data from Pima County and the City of Tucson.

Campaign Awards & Accomplishments

The “Clean Water Starts With Me” campaign has received the following recognition: 

  • PAG contributed materials from the campaign to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Non-Point Source Outreach Toolbox as sample materials to help other communities develop effective targeted outreach campaigns for stormwater pollution prevention.
  • The campaign received a first-place award at the 2009 National Association of Flood and Stormwater Agencies’ (NAFSMA) conference. The “Excellence in Communication Award” was in the “Improvement in Water Quality” category. PAG coordinated with the Town of Oro Valley to submit the outreach program, which promotes stormwater pollution prevention. On Oct. 22, 2009, the Town accepted the trophy on behalf of PAG. NAFSMA represents more than 100 public agencies that conduct stormwater and flood management activities. The City of Tucson and Town of Oro Valley are members.

Outreach Materials

Radio

Video

 
Activities for Children

 
 

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