We protect our water

Sweep up! Rake up! Pick up!

Adopt a Drain

We're making a difference! Join us!

811,046 lbs* debris collected
24,887 drains adopted
14,392 adopters

*Report your work so we can better track our impact!

How to adopt a storm drain

Volunteer fifteen minutes, twice a month, for cleaner waterways and healthier communities. Storm drains flow directly to local lakes, rivers, and wetlands, acting as a conduit for trash and organic pollutants. Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution.

Sign up

Sign up online to adopt a drain in your neighborhood.

Keep your drain clear

Sweep leaves, trash and other debris off the drain surface year round.

Track your impact

Keep an estimated total of the debris you collect and enter it into your online account so we can gauge the cumulative results of our work.

Lead by example

Let friends and neighbors know about your commitment and, if they ask, tell them about small things they can do at home to prevent water pollution.

Drain clearing tips

Select each number for safety information and tips

Prevent runoff pollution

Four tips for everyday pollution prevention

Rain and melting snow wash anything that’s on streets and other paved surfaces down storm drains and into lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Trash clogs drains and pipes causing flooding. Put it in the garbage.

Leaves, grass, and dirt contain phosphorus, which feeds the algae that turn lakes green. Keep them off streets and sidewalks.

Dog poop carries harmful bacteria and phosphorus. Pick up after your pet!

Salt is harmful to waterways and aquatic life. Just one teaspoon pollutes five gallons of water forever. Sweep up leftover salt and reuse it.

Track Impact

Reporting only takes a few minutes

Log in to estimate the amount of debris collected from your storm drain. Report after each cleaning, once a month, or once a year - whatever works for you.

Track Impact
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Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave. MS-A1760, Saint Paul, MN 55104
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