Minneapolis Invites Residents to Claim Storm Drains
The city's Adopt-a-Drain program asks volunteers to keep leaves and debris out of the street system.
By Julian Khan ·
Minneapolis is asking residents to take charge of a neighborhood storm drain.
The city says leaves swept into streets reach its stormwater system during rain or snowmelt. As those leaves break down, they release phosphorus into lakes, creeks and the Mississippi River. Elevated phosphorus feeds algae growth in local waters.
The program also flags grass clippings, pesticides, motor oil, cigarette butts, pet waste and plastic bottles as pollutants that move through the system into waterways.
Residents sign up through the Adopt-A-Drain site, where they pick a drain on a map, name it, provide contact details and add a profile photo. The city notes that a participant's name is visible to other adopters. Volunteers can opt in to contact from the city or a local watershed organization. Once claimed, participants visit the drain regularly to clear debris.
Cleanup materials sort into three streams. Aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles go loose in recycling. Leaves, grass and twigs go to a backyard compost bin or to yard waste pickup for residents with city garbage and recycling service. Sediment, grit, paper cups, to-go containers, straws and plastic caps go bagged with regular garbage.
The Adopt-A-Drain sign-up page and cleanup instructions are available on the city's website.
Source: City of Minneapolis
