We protect our water

Sweep up! Rake up! Pick up!

Adopt a Drain

We're making a difference! Join us!

145 lbs* debris collected
55 drains adopted
53 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, wetlands, springs and the Gulf of Mexico, 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 washes anything that’s on streets and paved surfaces down storm drains and into lakes, rivers, wetlands, springs, and the Gulf of Mexico. Help keep our water clean!

Pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides can harm our lakes and rivers. Leaves, grass, and yard waste add to the problem.

Leaves, grass and dirt feed algae and turn lakes and rivers green. Keep them off streets and sidewalks.

Dog poop carries harmful bacteria. Pick it up, bag it, and put it in the garbage.

Oil, grease, and soap grime washes into storm drains which flow unfiltered to local waterways. Keep chemicals off streets and sidewalks.

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
Adopt-a-drain logo
Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave. MS-A1760, Saint Paul, MN 55104
[email protected]