Storm drains are like a subway system for thousands of gallons of stormwater that run off our roofs, streets, parking lots, and sidewalks when it rains or snows. The network of drains and underground pipes reduces flood risk by carrying the water from our streets to a nearby stream, river, or lake.

Thousands of these storm drain exist across our watershed, and they need a watchful eye and caring hand to prevent water pollution and to reduce flooding risk. HRWC’s newly improved Adopt a Storm Drain program is an easy way you can keep our water clean and communities safe.

Pollutants Hitch a Ride to the River and Clog the Drains

A family picks up leaves and trash around a storm drain.
Adopting a storm drain means keeping debris and litter out of waterways while also reducing the risk of flooding during heavy storm events. credit: K. Paine for the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds

While storm drains are great for directing water out of our streets and driveways, they provide an easy path for pollutants to make it into the river. As water washes through our parking lots, curbs, construction sites and lawns, it picks up motor oil, trash, dog poop, dirt, excess fertilizer and pesticides, and more. Because separated storm sewers don’t treat or filter, all that pollution ends up in the river. Yuck!

Also, when storm drains get clogged with leaves blown from yards or trash blown into the road, the system backs up and results in an increased flooding risk.

HRWC’s Adopt a Storm Drain Program Gets an Upgrade

See where storm drains have been adopted, and adopt one yourself using our new map and form.

Thanks to support from the Middle Huron Partners, HRWC started the Adopt a Storm Drain program more than ten years ago. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have labeled storm drains with “no dumping drains to river” stickers. Many residents have also committed to longer-term, more frequent care of their neighborhood storm drains. These volunteers choose a storm drain on a street with a speed limit of 25 mph or less (for safety) to keep an eye on and clean debris like leaves and trash from the grate on a regular basis.

Mapping Our Impact

We’ve overhauled our storm drain adoption process to show our impact geographically and better track and engage with our long-term adopters. Now when you go to adopt a storm drain, the form asks you to identify your drain’s approximate location, how often you plan to check up on the drain, and what you will name it! This data feeds into a new map that shows all the newly adopted storm drains to date.

We Can’t Do It Without You!

With so many storm rains scattered across the watershed, we need you (yes you, reading this!) to help us protect clean water and adopt a local storm drain. Visit HRWC.org/adoptastormdrain to adopt your own lonely storm drain in need.

—Maaike Wielenga

This blog post is also published in the Huron River Report, Fall 2024.