Safe & effective clean up
Integrated education essentials
When cities join the Adopt-a-Drain program, participants in their communities receive welcome information outlining safe and simple storm drain clearing practices. Safety is paramount and our program is designed with that in mind. Adult supervision is required for drain clean up and all participants sign a liability waiver. Residents who sign up for the program receive tips on how to clear a drain and stay safe while doing it.
How to clear your storm drain and stay safe while doing it
Tools & safety
An example of safety instructions from the welcome materials.
Helpful tools for cleaning
You might want these tools for cleaning your drain: a broom, a rake, a trash grabber, work gloves, an orange cone and/or safety vest, a snow shovel or dustpan, and a large bucket or yard waste bag.
Never remove the grate
Clean only the surface of the storm drain grate and the area around it. Don’t attempt to clean the inside. If the drain seems to be plugged or have any problem, contact city staff to address the issue.
Safety first!
There could be something sharp or otherwise harmful near the drain, so wear work gloves to protect your hands and be careful when picking up leaves and trash. You might want to use a trash grabber to collect debris. Work with a friend, set up orange cones, or wear reflective clothing to make sure you are visible to cars. Do not stand or crouch on busy streets.
Busy streets
It’s best to adopt drains on local residential streets. If you do adopt a drain on a street with lots of traffic, please stick to clearing trash and debris from the sidewalk and let city staff take care of the street and the surface of the storm drain.
