News: County Launches Enviro Ed. and Grant Program

Online, April 7, 2013 (Newswire.com) - New Castle County's "Great Schools, Clean Streams" campaign starts April 8! Residents have until Friday, April 19 to support their local schools by pledging to dispose of used cooking grease properly. The six New Castle County schools that collect the most pledges from their students' parents will win cash prizes to pay for on-campus tree plantings, stream cleanups, rain barrels, and other cool and educational science projects.

Learn More: www.GreatSchoolsCleanStreams.org

"We're working with local schools to educate county residents about simple steps they can take to protect their own plumbing and the county's sewer systems," said Daniel Sullivan with the New Castle Department of Special Services.

The pledge drive will run from Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 19. When New Castle County residents sign the online pledge, they can assign their pledge to any public, charter, or private school in the county. The three public schools and the top three private schools that collect the most pledges will receive grants that they can use to pay for on-campus environmental education projects.

Everybody wins when county residents keep used cooking fats, oils, and grease out of their drains. Homeowners avoid the risk of clogged pipes, toilet backups, and plumber bills. The county reduces the bill that taxpayers have to foot to clean out clogged sewers. With fewer sewer spills, local streams will get cleaner.

"Here's what residents should do with their leftover cooking grease," Sullivan said. "Pour it in can, and throw the can in the trash."

Learn More: www.GreatSchoolsCleanStreams.org

Contacts:
Daniel Sullivan, New Castle County Department of Special Services, (302) 395-5707 [email protected]
Eric Eckl, Water Words That Work LLC, (703) 829-6732x6, [email protected]
Learn More: www.GreatSchoolsCleanStreams.org

About the New Castle Department of Special Services

The New Castle County Department of Special Services is comprised of four divisions that manage different aspects of all County assets:

• Engineering is responsible for the design & construction of County buildings, parks & sanitary sewer infrastructure.

• The Environmental Services section is charged with ensuring that New Castle County is in compliance with State & Federal environmental laws.Environmental Operations handles the operation, maintenance & repair of all New Castle County sewers, wastewater pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, & County-owned stormwater management facilities.

• Internal Services is responsible for the upkeep of all County-owned buildings, maintenance of County parks & grounds, acquisition & repair of all County vehicles & non-office equipment, as well as operation of the equestrian center at Carousel Park.

• The Administrative Division monitors each of the divisions for quality of services, oversees both the operating & capital budgets, maintains an inventory of all New Castle County property, & handles employee training & worker's compensation matters.