Overview

Stormwater goes into storm drains. 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

Get involved. Label storm drains to educate others. Adopt a storm drain or organize a group to clean up storm drains in your neighborhood. 

We will provide you with paint and stencils to mark your adopted storm drains. You'll also receive educational messaging to share with others. 

Stenciling kits include

• Custom map of storm drains in your neighborhood
• Stencils specific to where your area drains to (river, creek, or lake)
• Spray paint
• Trash bags, broom, dustpan, and trash grabbers
• Safety cones, vests, glasses, and gloves
• Educational door hangers

Get involved

The program started in 2009. Since then:

• Over 4,800 volunteers have stenciled almost 11,000 storm drains
• Over 22,000 informational door hangers have been distributed
• 1,200 bags of trash have been collected from adopted drains

These efforts removed over 29 pounds of phosphorus from our local waterways. 

Email Water Resources to get involved