'Adopt-A-Drain' Launches In 7 Puget Sound Cities

SAMMAMISH, WA — Just in time for the onset of fall weather, seven Puget Sound cities have launched a new "Adopt-A-Drain" program, recruiting neighbors to pitch in and help prevent flooding and keep our waterways clean.

As of Wednesday, Seattle, Redmond, Sammamish, Newcastle, Maple Valley, Duvall and Tacoma signed on to participate in the program, which has proven to be quite successful since launching in Minneapolis five years ago.

"By caring for your local storm drain, you can help prevent localized flooding and reduce debris in our drainage system and waterways," said Susan Harper, the manager of Seattle's Adopt-A-Drain program. "This helps you, your neighbors, your utility, and our local waters."

The program asks that neighbors volunteer 15 minutes of their time twice a month to check on their chosen drain and log estimates for how much debris they collect. In just a few days, more than 130 people adopted 259 drains in the region and removed 315 pounds of waste.

Residents who would like to lend a hand can enter their address via an online tool, then select and name an unclaimed drain in their neighborhood. In Seattle, the city highlighted some of its favorite names so far, including "Hermione Drainger, Sir Drains A Lot and Singing in the Drain."

Officials said the original Adopt-A-Drain model, launched in Minnesota, has attracted nearly 9,000 volunteers who have adopted 16,000 drains and cleared out more than 350,000 pounds of waste. Puget Sound officials are hoping to attract more than 1,000 volunteers in the first year.

Learn more on Washington's Adopt-A-Drain portal.