Adopt-A-Stormdrain

The biggest threat to Lake Superior is stormwater pollution, the huge volume of water that runs off our rooftops, driveways, patios, sidewalks, and roads into the storm drain system when it rains or when snow melts. This runoff washes trash, dirt, fertilizer, pesticides, road salt, dog poop, and other pollutants directly into the nearest waterway. Rain rushing down the storm drain system can turn the rivers and streams into raging torrents that scour the stream banks, and sends tons of sediment and pollution into Lake Superior. The Adopt a Storm Drain Program is an effort to restore our area rivers and lakes by looking upstream to where their water comes from. Our rivers and lakes are not pristine environments and much of their water comes directly from roads and sidewalks through storm drain pipes. Our Adopt a Storm Drain Program accepts this reality and works to clean waterways by keeping the storm drains that feed them free from litter, leaves, and debris. Keeping debris away from the storm drains also reduces the chance of flooding in yards and homes in your neighborhood. This program is designed to recruit residents, neighborhoods, businesses, community groups, and youth to take sustained action to keep storm drains clear and clean. Volunteers will be provided with instructions to care for a storm drain or multiple drains on their street. Tasks include monitoring and removing debris from the storm drain(s) approximately once a week during the storm season. Hours will be tracked by the volunteer and submitted to the City after each clean-up or at the end of November.