Blue Ocean Productions, in conjunction with the
City of Santa Barbara Creeks Division, and
Santa Barbara Project Clean Water, has produced four public service announcements (PSAs) that explain how runoff from houses and streets end up in storm drains that lead directly to the ocean. Whereas water in our houses from sinks and toilets go to water treatment facilities before entering the ocean. The message is that we can improve our local ocean water quality by reducing or eliminating the use of pollutants in our front yards because they end up in the ocean.
Here is a link to a Spanish PSA currently playing on Spanish TV:
Storm Drain vs. Sewer PSAHere is a link to the English PSA currently playing on Cox Cable:
Healty Oceans PSATypical household pollutants that enter our gutters and lead to the ocean include fertilizer, motor oil, soap, pesticides, trash and yard debris. To reduce pollutants that can enter the streets, dont overwater lawns after fertilizing because the overwatering allows the fertilizer to enter the street. We can also pick up pet waste, trash and yard debris rather than hosing them into the gutter. Consider using pesticide free pest control, such as insecticial soap instead of harmful pesticides. Take your car to a car wash facility that treats and recycles soapy water rather than wash your car in your driveway. And never clean paint brushes and rollers in the gutter. Because a healthy ocean starts in our front yards!
The PSAs were written by Jessica Scheeter of the Santa Barbara Creeks Division, Candice Constantine, formerly with Santa Barbara Project Clean Water, and Rocio Lozano-Knowlton, bilingual outreach specialist and consultant with the Santa Barbara Creeks Division. The PSAs were directed and edited by Jim Knowlton of
Blue Ocean Productions. Credits include Paul Mathieu, Director of Photography, audio mixing by Emmet Seargent of Beagle Studios, narration by Rocio Lozano-Knowlton and Sonia Groves, Acting by Lourdes Uribe, Osiris Castaneda, Mike Romo, Luis Perez, Eva Perez, Dahlia Zarate, and underwater video by Jim Knowlton.
Three of the PSAs are in Spanish, and will play on Spanish TV in Santa Barbara County. Each PSA will play for approximately 4 months each during the next year. One of the PSAs, Healthy Oceans, was made in English and currently plays on Cox TV.
