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Adopt-A-Drain Program

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Help protect local waterways

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The Franklin Township Environmental Commission is excited to bring the Adopt-A-Drain Program to our community! Adopting a storm drain is quick, easy, protects our waterways from pollution, and helps prevent flooding. Adopters only need to clean the top of the storm drain with a broom or rake before and after a major storm, and on a flexible schedule for routine maintenance. Reporting takes less than 5 minutes and provides Franklin with important data about how much trash and debris has been saved from our rivers.

How Does It Work?

Individuals or groups can choose a storm drain to adopt by visiting: https://nj.adopt-a-drain.org/

This drain will be registered as adopted, and a welcome letter and yard sign will be sent to the adopter. By using simple tools, the adopter will clean the top of the storm drain before and after any major storms, and then on a flexible schedule for routine maintenance (twice a month is recommended). Trash collected should be separated into recycling versus landfill, and properly disposed of by the adopter.

Adopters then report what they cleaned up, and this information is sent to the Township for tracking each year.

how to adopt a drain

What Do I Need to Clean the Storm Drain?

Easy to use household items are all that are needed to clean the storm drain. Gloves are recommended. If you are with younger children or your drain is in a higher traffic area, cones to separate your area and safety vests are recommended.

Drain clearing tips

1. Helpful tools for cleaning
helpful tools for cleaningYou might want these tools for cleaning your drain: a broom, a rake, a trash grabber, work gloves, an orange cone and/or safety vest, a snow shovel or dustpan, and a large bucket or yard waste bag.
2. Never remove the grate
never remove the grate
Clean only the surface of the storm drain grate and the area around it. Don’t attempt to clean the inside. If the drain seems to be plugged or have any problem, contact city staff to address the issue.
3. Safety first
safety firstThere could be something sharp or otherwise harmful near the drain, so wear work gloves to protect your hands and be careful when picking up leaves and trash. You might want to use a trash grabber to collect debris. Work with a friend, set up orange cones, or wear reflective clothing to make sure you are visible to cars. Do not stand or crouch on busy streets.
4. Busy streets
busy streetsIt’s best to adopt drains on local residential streets. If you do adopt a drain on a street with lots of traffic, please stick to clearing trash and debris from the sidewalk and let city staff take care of the street and the surface of the storm drain.
5. Not just the drains
not just the drainsWhile the program asks you to adopt a drain, clearing debris from streets and sidewalks is helpful, since anything on pavement can wash into storm drains when it rains.
6. Separating and disposing of waste
To dispose of waste, separate it into three categories and place it in the appropriate receptacle: trash, recyclables (glass and plastic bottles, cans) and compostables (leaves, grass clippings, sticks, and sediment). Sediment collected in the spring is not compostable, as it contains chemical residue from deicers used over the winter. Put it in the trash. If there is a lot of spring sediment near your drain, let city street sweepers take care of it. If there is A LOT of sediment near your drain, notify city staff, as this may be an indicator of a bigger problem.

What About Reporting?

Reporting takes less than 5 minutes and is completed online. The only information needed is:

  • What did you pick up?
  • How much did you pick up? (exact amounts are not needed)
  • How much time did it take?

Data is compiled and tracked by the Township, allowing us to understand how much trash and debris has been saved from our waterways. This data will also help us understand where flooding has been reduced and where additional storm drain maintenance is needed.

How Does Adopting a Drain Make a Difference?

Hamline University in Missouri created this program in 2013, which is now recognized as a national clean water program. This Adopt-A-Drain Program encourages citizen stewardship and behavior changes to keep our neighborhoods and waterways clean, while complying with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements.

Participants in the Franklin Township Adopt-A-Drain Program will significantly reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, beautify their neighborhoods, reduce localized flooding, and inspire others to be good stewards for our environment.

As of June 2022, 5 states have joined the effort. The figure below depicts the most recent tracking information for all participants across the United States.

make a difference

Additional questions? Contact Environmental.Commission@franklinnj.gov