The start of the rainy season often elicits a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, it brings us a sense of relief and revitalization at the end of the fire season. On the other hand, it’s accompanied by heightened concerns over localized flooding and episodes of water pollution. Though not always obvious to the common observer, all throughout the dry season, trash, motor oil, other vehicle fluids, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, particulates, pet waste and more have accumulated in our streets and neighborhoods. When the rains arrive these pollutants have an enthusiastic vehicle for their transport and deposition in our Bay and ocean.
Most streets are engineered with curve or “crown” to prevent flooding by helping water flow towards gutters and storm drains. Unfortunately, this clever engineering solution designed to prevent flooding also makes it easier for pollution to get to the Bay and ocean. Streets, sidewalks, parking lots and other impervious surfaces not only convey water quickly when it rains, but also become conduits for pollutants. While there are small and easy things we can do to address many of the pollutants that impact our environment and health, one, in particular, stands out among the others in terms of the level of impact it has in our waterways. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to take action on.
Can you guess the culprit? We’re talking about trash and debris. Plastic food packaging and other single-use plastics are especially pernicious once free in the environment, but all types of trash and debris that are haphazardly disposed of (or poorly managed) can end up in the stormwater system and eventually in a nearby creek, or directly in the Bay or ocean. Even leaves and yard clippings can contribute to the problem. When trash accumulates in our streets or sidewalks and flows down the storm drain, it either disappears into a pipe headed for a larger body of water or it gets stuck on top of the drain causing a backup. Localized flooding at the end of a block or at an intersection can happen very quickly this way. Perhaps you’ve seen it in your neighborhood.
How do we solve this flooding problem?
One way to get involved and make a difference that may also convince others to change their own habits is to adopt a drain on your block! A few cities around the county have Adopt-A-Drain programs in place that make lending a hand in your community really easy. If you live in Belmont, Burlingame, San Mateo, or South San Francisco you may have already heard about these programs. If not, you can click on one of the cities above to get more details about the program.
While cities in San Mateo County have regular street maintenance to help keep gutters and storm drains clear of trash and debris, Adopt-A-Drain programs look for resident volunteers to lend a hand to help minimize localized flooding during rain events, prevent stormwater pollution, and keep our communities looking clean. Residents can help by adopting a storm drain near home or work and by keeping the top area of the grate clear of trash and leaves. You can also report flooding or illegal dumping if you see it happening near your locale.
What do you do if your area doesn’t have an Adopt-A-Drain program?
Adopting a drain is one of the easiest things you can do! You don’t need an official program to protect your neighborhood from flooding, all you need is a bucket, some rubber gloves, and a rake (optional)! Encourage others in your community to do the same by posting your efforts on Nextdoor.
If you’re a storm drain warrior, we want to hear from you! Tell us about your efforts to reduce flooding and keep your neighborhood clean. Email us at info@flowstobay.org with details and pictures so we can feature your hard work.
Questions, comments? Need help getting in touch with the right person in your city? We’re here to help! Contact us here.
