Adopt-A-Drain: Protecting Your Community One Drain at a Time

By Chris Opp

In cities and towns across America, stormwater drains play an essential role in keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe and clean. But like many necessary systems, they require regular attention and maintenance to function properly. Enter Adopt-A-Drain, a grassroots initiative that encourages residents to volunteer in maintaining a local storm drains in their community. By adopting a drain, citizens can help prevent flooding, protect water quality, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

What is Adopt-A-Drain?

Adopt-A-Drain The concept is simple: individuals, families, or community groups can “adopt” a drain and commit to keeping it free of debris, leaves, and other materials that might clog or block the drain. By ensuring that these drains remain clear, participants help prevent stormwater from pooling in streets, reducing the risk of localized flooding and water pollution.

While stormwater drains may seem small and unseen, they play a huge role in managing rainwater runoff. When debris blocks drains, it prevents water from flowing freely, leading to water backups, street flooding, and even the contamination of local rivers and streams. Since stormwater flows directly into rivers like the Mississippi and lakes like Nokomis, keeping the drains clear not only protects infrastructure but also protects the health of local ecosystems and waterways.

A Growing Movement

Adopt-A-Drain programs are popping up in cities across the United States, with participants ranging from individual homeowners to school groups, local businesses, and even environmental organizations. The idea has proven so successful that many cities have expanded the program, encouraging more citizens to get involved and raise awareness about the importance of stormwater management.

As more extreme weather events continue to happen, including heavier rainfall and more frequent storms, programs like Adopt-A-Drain will continue to be an important tool in keeping communities resilient. By adopting a drain, you’re not just making your neighborhood a better place to live—you’re contributing to a larger movement aimed at protecting the environment for future generations.

How You Can Get Started

Are you ready to adopt a drain? Start by checking with the Adopt-A-Drain website at mn.adopt-a-drain.org to learn more about the program in your area. The commitment is small, but the rewards for your community and the environment are immense. Whether you’re an environmental enthusiast or just someone looking to make a difference, Adopt-A-Drain is a simple, effective way to have a lasting impact.

How Does the Program Work?

Getting involved with Adopt-A-Drain is straightforward and typically involve a few simple steps:

1.     Sign Up: Visit the Adopt-A-Drain website to sign up. You’ll likely be asked to choose a drain in your neighborhood or area that you can regularly monitor.

2.     Commit to Regular Maintenance: Once you've adopted a drain, you'll need to pledge to clean it periodically. This involves removing debris, leaves, trash, or anything else that could obstruct the flow of water. The frequency of cleaning depends on your location and the time of year, but most people find that cleaning their drain once or twice a month is sufficient. My two drains take about 5 to 10 minutes each per month. Sometimes like in the fall when there’s lots of leaves it might take a little longer, but it’s usually not bad.

3.     Keep an Eye Out for Issues: In addition to cleaning the drain, it's important to watch for signs of larger issues, like large-scale blockages that might require municipal assistance. If you notice anything unusual, report it to local authorities to prevent further damage like by calling 311.

4.     Spread the Word: Encourage your neighbors, friends, and family members to get involved in the program. The more people who participate, the greater the collective impact on your community.

5.     Track Your Impact: The Adopt-A-Drain website shows how many drains you have adopted and how much debris you have cleared. This can be a fun and rewarding way to see the direct effect of your efforts.

In conclusion, adopting a drain is a small but powerful step toward improving your community’s environment and safety. By committing just a few minutes of your time to keep drains clean, you’re helping to prevent flooding, reducing pollution, and creating a cleaner, healthier space for everyone. The NENA Environment Committee has undertaken Adopt-A-Drain as a long-term initiative. If you wish to learn more about this initiative or others, please email us at environment@nokomiseast.org, call us at (612) 724-5652, or attend our monthly meeting on Zoom on the third Monday of the month from 6pm-7pm. More details at https://www.nokomiseast.org/environment.