Adopt a…Storm Drain?!

When I first heard about this program, I couldn’t believe my ears. But yes, it is true, you CAN adopt a Storm Drain! Not a dog, or kid, or bench, but a STORM DRAIN. But what does it entail, and why on earth would a program like this exist? Let me enlighten your ears…

If you’re a resident of Virginia Beach, you might already know about the storm drainage problems we face. In 2016, during Hurricane Matthew, overflow from storm drainage systems caused flooding in many neighborhoods that caused major damage to homes, yards, and cars. And while I don’t want this post to be political, you know I’m all about small changes make a big difference, and that’s where we as citizens come in.

While we can’t individually pay for the rebuilding of our storm drainage systems, we can help with what goes in it. Although biodegradable, leaves and landscaping debris can clog pipes until they dissolve. Litter causes a big problem too, since plastics do not dissolve for years! The Adopt-a-Drain program exists in cities all over the country, so google your Local Public Works Page for more information. This post will shed some light specifically on the program in Virginia Beach.

Click here to adopt drains in your neighborhood. Just clean the area around the drain 6 times per year, preferably before expected heavy rainfall. Sounds easy enough, right?

And there’s more! Virginia Beach already has a program in place where drains are marked with their watershed to help citizens realize the impact of their decisions. You can volunteer to mark drains in your neighborhood, too. What a great way to teach your kids about their environmental impacts! Click here for details.

Studies have shown that 50% of the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has been caused from storm water runoff. This could be anything from oil on the road, fertilizer we use on our lawns, landscaping debris or just plan old litter. It’s takes 5 minutes to adopt the drain on your street corner, and with minimal upkeep, you could be part of making a direct influence on your community and Mother Earth.