Downtown South Bend has a new outdoor art display with a purpose.

The city has completed 11 storm drain murals along Michigan Street between Colfax and Wayne as part of its Storm Drain Art Contest.

Local artists created the colorful designs to remind people that rainwater flowing into storm drains goes directly into the St. Joseph River without treatment, making pollution prevention an important part of protecting local water quality.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to check out the murals during their next downtown visit.