Why You Should Adopt A Drain Near You

WHO KNEW THIS WAS HAPPENING?

Before I learned about the Adopt A Drain program here in Minnesota, I didn't realize how we all inadvertently contribute to pollution in our lakes and rivers, thus affecting the very water that we use everyday.

Leaves and grass that wash down our storm drains everyday contribute to water pollution, because when fertilizer, leaves, grass clippings, pet waste and other natural debri hit the water, it starts breaking down and becomes food for algae, which then can grow out of control.

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Algae and weeds are fed by organic matter. This organ matter breaks down and starts making our water green and soupy like. When this happens, less sunlight can break through, so plants can't grow; thus creating less and less habitat for fish and other wildlife near us.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

If you adopt a drain on your street, you can clean up this debris, thus keeping it from reaching our water system. Many people have already signed up to clean storm drains, and with each family that signs up, and actually takes the time to clean the drains, we are all helping the environment that much more.

The more of us that get involved, the less effort it takes us as individuals. I've adopted 4 storm drains on my street. I clean them about every 3 months. With winter upon us, it's been more difficult as the streets are ice covered at the moment, but it's amazing how much yuck can be in our streets.