FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) -- Storm drains have turned into art in Northwest Arkansas. Artists at Upstream Art are working to draw attention to the concrete infrastructures to educate people on where water flows after it enters a storm drain.
Water that enters into a storm drain goes directly into the city's water ways. There's no filtration, or cleaning at a waste water treatment plant. Openings at the end of the street lead straight into the city's creeks and streams.
Many of the painters are volunteers, bringing color to sewers around Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista. In Fayetteville walking tours are available to see all the different murals on the drains.
There are 49 storm drains in Northwest Arkansas, and pollutants like grease, oil, fertilizer and dog waste all go into the storm drains untreated. The polluted water can affect plants, fish, animals and people.