Storm drains: Minneapolis pushes leaf clearing to protect waterways
The city's Adopt-a-Drain program asks residents to adopt a storm drain, clear debris and keep leaves out of streets before snowmelt carries them into lakes and creeks.
By John Wilson ·
Leaves that wash into Minneapolis storm drains break down and release phosphorus into the city's lakes, creeks and the Mississippi River, driving algae growth, according to the city's Adopt-a-Drain program. The program asks residents to keep leaves out of streets and to adopt a storm drain for regular cleaning.
Sign-up runs through the Adopt-a-Drain website, where users click an orange "Adopt a Drain" button, then "Sign up" in the top right corner, select a storm drain on the map and name it. Participants enter contact information and may add a profile picture. A user's name is visible to other adopters. Users can choose whether the city or their local watershed organization contacts them.
The program covers pollutants beyond leaves, including grass clippings, pesticides, motor oil, cigarette butts, pet waste and plastic bottles. Adopters are asked to visit their drain regularly to remove debris and to dispose of what they collect properly: aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles go loose and unbagged with recycling; leaves, grass and twigs go to a backyard compost bin or to yard waste pickup for customers with city garbage and recycling service; sediment, grit, paper cups, to-go containers, straws, plastic caps and other non-recyclable items go bagged with regular garbage.
Leaves reach the storm drain system through stormwater and snowmelt, the city said.
Source: City of Minneapolis
