In addition, just 2 years prior, they hired a full-time Commercial Businesses Stormwater Inspector, but had been disappointed with the progress being made by the restaurants in particular, even with monthly site inspections. Basic stormwater best management practices were not being followed to the City’s satisfaction in the outdoor areas behind the restaurants, causing unknown amounts of pollution to enter local storm drains on a daily basis.

They were interested in finding an innovative way to reach restaurant staff through education and increase the use of stormwater best management practices occurring in the spaces outside of restaurants in the City.

Results: Goldstreet’s Consulting Staff and the City of Oak Harbor worked collaboratively to employ Community Based Social Marketing techniques to gain a solid understanding of the target audience in order to develop a targeted, effective and well thought out plan for inspiring a change in behavior from restaurant staff to improve water quality in the Puget Sound region.

We compiled and analyzed the data and provided a detailed summary of the findings. Background research was also explored to uncover similar projects designed to reach the target audience. The data was then used to identify motivators and barriers to reaching restaurant staff, as well as set project goals and objectives and to develop a marketing strategy. As part of the marketing strategy, we also uncovered existing grant opportunities to provide free spill kits and professional training to restaurant staff in Oak Harbor.

The marketing strategy prompted the development of three different products by Goldstreet’s Creative Design Team:

1. A multi-purpose brochure, which serves as a training tool for restaurant managers, and folds out into an eye catching, yet simple poster, targeting the restaurant staff.
2. A big and bright dumpster sticker, reminding staff how to properly maintain the dumpster area.
3. A training program designed specifically for the local high school culinary school which will focus on the proper outdoor BMPs to follow at any restaurant and the basics of how restaurants can have an impact on water quality.

Evaluation of the products was the final step and provided the City with astounding measurable results for permit reporting. Following distribution of the restaurant poster and dumpster sticker to restaurants in Oak Harbor, the following changes in behavior were observed:

• The occurrence of open dumpster lids was reduced by 76%
• The occurrence of garbage on the ground around the dumpster was reduced by 51%
• The occurrence of uncovered cardboard outdoors was reduced by 30%

The post Success Story: City of Oak Harbor, WA Uses Community Based Social Marketing & Brochures to Reduce Water Pollution from Restaurants appeared first on Goldstreet Designs.

The lack of toilet paper has caused consumers to turn to alternative paper products such as paper towels, wet wipes, and in one case, shredded t-shirt material, which resulted in a clogged sewer line at a lift station in Redding, CA. Wastewater workers responded immediately, helping to prevent a dangerous sewage spill, while City officials placed the door hangers on resident’s homes, reminding them of the dangers of non-flushable materials. The story quickly drew media attention and was covered in a national news story highlighting the use of the door hangers to emphasize the importance of not flushing improper materials down the toilet. The article also provided images of the print graphics themselves, helping to further raise awareness to readers throughout the U.S.

Nationwide, local utilities have been on high-alert trying to quickly create and distribute informational materials warning residents of the dangers of flushing non-flushable items, but the City of Redding was already prepared, says Tracy, who notes “Having pre-printed materials on our shelves ahead of time was extremely important. In a sewer crisis/overflow situation, sewer departments do not have the luxury of time to develop educational materials and have them printed. We were prepared for this type of public outreach and response to a sewer backup because we planned ahead and had the public education materials available at our office.”

While the Coronavirus disease and toilet paper shortages could not have been anticipated, The City of Redding’s proactive approach to educating residents on an already growing problem allowed them to preempt it during an unprecedented time of crisis.

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On follow-up, Goldstreet reached out to Dustan, with the City of Redmond, where he expressed his satisfaction with the process, noting that the report had “satisfied the requirement of notifying each of our customers regarding water quality.”

The post Success Story: City of Redmond Meets State and Customer Requirements With Water Quality Report appeared first on Goldstreet Designs.

Working with Jennifer, for the City of Burlingame, Goldstreet created a water quality report which paired an easy to read format with clean, engaging graphics. When asked about the overall success of the program, Jennifer declared the initiative an overall success, stating: “The water quality report accurately informs our residents about their water quality.”

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To ensure the satisfaction of the City of Seaside, in addition to its residents, Goldstreet created a water quality report that provided high-quality graphics, vivid colors, and a streamlined format which Dale described as “easy to read and understand.” The Goldstreet team were thrilled with a recent one-year follow-up survey in which Dale stated his overall satisfaction with the project, noting that the initiative had helped the City of Seaside achieve their goals.

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Featuring informational messaging to raise awareness and educate consumers on the dangers of FOG in sewers and keeping public waterways free of harmful materials, Goldstreet met the expectations of the Kearns Improvement District, with Riley stating: “It starts with a dialogue with customers about keeping their drains clean.”

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