Step #1: Introduction
Reveal the “Learn More” portion below and get familiar with the Adopt a Drain program. If our program is for you, let’s find you a drain!
Step #2: Choose a Drain
Choose a drain(s) from our map that you can monitor weekly. Most drains don’t require weekly intervention, but we expect that when it does, you will take action.
Step #3: Adoption Form
Submit the form at the bottom of this page to adopt. Adoption is incomplete without image of item and you can attach it to your first cleanup report.
Step #4: User Registration
After submitting the form, credentials are sent via email. If you wish to have a profile picture on our leaderboard, visit Gravatar and use the same email address.
Step #5: Monitor Drain
As needed, visit drains to remove debris and report issues. We suggest a dedicated day and time of the week to monitor. Consider when you naturally see it.
Step #6: Report Cleanups
We require at least one cleanup report every 4 months to maintain the adoption, but you can send as many as you’d like. Reporting is a breeze thanks to our report app.
Adopt a Drain is an effort to restore urban and suburban streams by looking upstream to where water enters the stream system. Many people unknowingly believe storm drains connect to sewer treatment systems. But in most communities whatever enters the drains is discharged directly into a neighboring body of water. That is often a local stream, lake, or bay. Unfortunately, urban streams are not pristine environments and much of their water comes directly from roads and sidewalks through storm drain pipes.
Adopt a Drain accepts this reality and works to clean streams by keeping the drains that feed them free from litter, leaves, and debris. It may also help reduce illegal dumping and keep degrading substances such as oil, grease, and car soap from entering our stormwater drainage systems and ending up in our local waterways. The program is designed to recruit public and private partners to take sustained action to keep drains clear and clean. An informed citizen may stop taking actions that impair local waters, but an empowered citizen takes positive actions on behalf of their stream. They are likely to work not only on this project but also on other restoration projects and speak out on behalf of their local waterway.
In addition to benefiting the local waterway, it also benefits local neighborhoods. It helps create litter-free, more attractive communities. It also enhances urban quality of life and increases economic development. An attractive, clean community is a great asset in attracting new businesses, jobs, and customers.
Please consider adopting more than one drain as drains often come in bunches. There are over 12,ooo drains in the Greater Mankato Area.