Reduce flooding
Engage residents to keep storm drains clear of debris
Storm drains channel rain and melting snow from paved surfaces into storm sewers. However, if they become clogged with leaves, trash, and other debris, water may no longer drain from streets and sidewalks, allowing hazardous conditions to develop. Water can pond along curbs, flood intersections, and run into nearby homes. Engaging residents to adopt storm drains mobilizes communities in a collective effort to prevent localized flooding.
Resident education for a lifetime of impact
By bringing Adopt-a-Drain to their community, partners activate a team of local volunteers that adopt and monitor storm drains in their neighborhood year round. By keeping them clear of debris and notifying city staff of maintenance issues, local residents work together with local governments to keep streets and neighborhoods clean and safe. Residents who sign up for the program receive instructions on how to separate and dispose of waste.
Debris and waste disposal
An example of clean up instructions from the welcome materials.
Not just the drain
While the program asks you to adopt a drain, clearing debris from streets and sidewalks is helpful, since anything on pavement can wash into storm drains when it rains.
Separating and disposing of waste
To dispose of waste, separate it into three categories and place it in the appropriate receptacle:
trash (litter, dirt and grit)
clean recyclables (cans,
glass and plastic bottles)clean compostables (leaves,
grass clippings and sticks)
When in doubt throw it in the trash
Dirt swept from streets in spring is not compostable as it contains chemical residue from de-icers. If there is A LOT of sediment near your drain, notify your city or county staff, as this may be an indicator of a bigger problem.
Disposal questions?
If you have questions about how to properly dispose of trash, compost, and recyclables, contact the city or your garbage collection service.
Program questions
For questions about the Adopt-a-Drain program, contact us.
