Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa has embarked on a project to beautify stormwater drains while educating the public about the importance of keeping pollutants out of the water. Partnering with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, the city has invited a dozen local artists to create works of art on the concrete tops of storm drains at Robles Park.

The artists' designs will focus on the "Only Rain Down the Drain" educational campaign, which aims to inform citizens about the harmful effects of dumping pollutants down the drain. Stormwater runoff, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, is the top threat to water quality in the nation. In Tampa, when it rains, various pollutants such as pesticides, excess fertilizer, oils, detergents, and debris from lawns and streets flow into ditches, canals, and rivers, ultimately reaching Tampa Bay.

By painting these storm drains with eye-catching designs, the city hopes to serve as a constant reminder to the public that our neighborhoods and waterways are interconnected and in need of protection. Moreover, this project will enhance the aesthetic appeal of Robles Park, adding to its natural beauty.

Funding for the Storm Drain Art Local Artist Initiative was made possible through a generous $10,000 grant from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Robles Park will become the second neighborhood to showcase these unique works of art on inlet concrete tops. A similar project was successfully completed in South Seminole Heights back in 2018.

This initiative not only serves as a way to educate and engage the community but also highlights the importance of collaboration between local government and organizations like Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Together, they are working towards creating a cleaner and more visually appealing environment.

If you are interested in learning more about this project or have any general questions, you can reach out to the City of Tampa at 306 East Jackson Street, Tampa, Florida 33602 or by calling (813) 274-8211.

Let's all join hands in keeping our waterways clean and preserving the beauty of our city. #TampaProud

Connect with us:

- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/TampaGov)

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CityofTampaGovernment)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cityoftampa/)

- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofTampa)

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-tampa)

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.tampa.gov/news/2023-12/stormwater-drains-deserve-be-pretty-and-educational-too-133311