Adopt-a-Drain

Why keep leaves out of storm drains

• Leaves that fall or are swept into the streets can enter the City's storm drain system through stormwater or snowmelt.
• As the leaves break down, they release phosphorus into our lakes, creeks, and the Mississippi River.
• High phosphorus levels contribute to unsightly algae growth and pollute our local waterways.

Do your part by keeping leaves out of the streets and storm drains. Every little bit helps!

Other pollutants

Pollutants that get carried into our waterways include:

• Grass clippings
• Pesticides
• Motor oil
• Cigarette butts
• Pet waste
• Plastic bottles
• and more

Visit your drain regularly to remove debris

Remove debris from the drain

• Do not remove the grate.
• If you see material beneath the grate, notify 311.
• We will send a crew to resolve the issue.

Contact 311

Properly dispose items

You should properly get rid of items you clean from around the storm drain.

Recycle

• Recyclable items include aluminum cans, plastic or glass bottles 
• Put recyclables loose (unbagged) with your recycling

See accepted recycling

Compost

• Compostable items include leaves, grass and twigs
• Put in a backyard compost bin or set out for yard waste pickup if you have City garbage and Recycling service

See yard waste collection

Garbage

Garbage items include:

• Sediment and grit
• Paper cups and to-go containers
• Straws
• Plastic caps
• Other non-recyclable items

Bag and put with your regular garbage.

Search our Disposal Guide to find out where an item belongs

Track your efforts

• Report how much material you collected.
• You can do so on the Adopt-a-Drain website.

Visit the Adopt-a-Drain website