(KNSI) – As temperatures rise leading to spring runoff, St. Cloud officials are asking residents and businesses to adopt a storm drain and keep water flowing freely.
Snowmelt and rainfall carry leaves, trash, and sediment toward storm drains across the city. When those drains become blocked, water backs up into streets, causing flooding and drainage problems for entire neighborhoods. But the problem doesn’t stop there. Unlike wastewater systems, storm drains send water directly into local waterways without any treatment, and when rainwater runs off roadways, it carries trash and pollutants into stormwater ponds before eventually flowing into the Mississippi River, Lake George, and the Sauk River.
According to the public works department, there are 8,300 storm drains in the city and many have no one to take care of them. Officials say it takes just minutes to make a difference.
Through the city’s Adopt-a-Drain program, volunteers can select a storm drain near their home or place of work and commit to keeping it clear of trash and debris throughout the season. The city supplies everything participants need, so no special equipment is required.
To find that lucky drain and learn more, click here.
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