Overview

All storm drains lead to one of our lakes, a creek or the Mississippi River.

When it rains stormwater carries pollutants into our waterways. Pollutants include:

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

You can help keep our waterways clean by adopting a storm drain and cleaning it regularly.

Learn more and Adopt-A-Drain

How to sign up

Get started on the Adopt-A-Drain web page

1. Click the link above
2. Click one of the sign up links or a specific storm drain:
   • Click the orange "Adopt a Drain" button
   • Click the "Sign up" button in the top right corner
   • Select a storm drain on the map
3. Name your drain
4. Fill out your contact information
   • Your name will be visible to other adopters
5. Add a profile picture
6. Choose if you want to be contacted by the City or your local watershed organization.

Cleaning your adopted drain

Visit your drain regularly to remove debris from the drain

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

Contact 311

Properly dispose 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, grit, paper cups and to-go containers, straws, plastic caps, and 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 on the Adopt a Drain website