Strathcona County is launching a new program called Adopt a Storm Drain. Through the program, residents are encouraged to adopt a storm drain in their neighbourhood and help keep it clean and clear of debris.
“It’s a fun way to involve children in giving back to the community,” says Kendra Vander Kooy, the Water Conservation Program Liaison. “It’s a great way to teach children about our local watershed and how everything is connected in our water system.”
Residential neighbourhoods are prone to blocked storm drains due to leaves, gravel, litter, and other materials. If this debris is not removed before spring melt or heavy rainfall the flow of water can be restricted and cause flooding. As the water flows into the storm drain it takes this debris along with it, making its way to the local stormwater pond and eventually the North Saskatchewan River.
Increased organic matter in stormwater ponds and rivers means an increase in nutrients. More nutrients can lead to an increase in algae and aquatic weeds which can be harmful to aquatic life.
Adopting a storm drain is a great activity that families can do together. It’s also a great way to teach kids about how what happens on our streets is connected to the health of our waterways.
How to adopt a storm drain:
- Go to strathcona.ca/stormdrain and watch the Adopt a Storm Drain Safety Video and read the guidelines and safety tips.
- Find a storm drain to adopt on the interactive map.
- Fill in your name and email contact
- Give your storm drain a name
- Adopt your storm drain!
Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets.
