Adopt a Storm Drain Coming to Chatham Township!
Chatham Township’s Department of Public Works (DPW) and Environmental Commission (CTEC) are excited to launch Adopt a Drain in the Spring of 2024. We have partnered with Hamline University of Minnesota to create an online storm drain management program for our municipality. This effort will help ensure our storm drains are cleared from debris on a regular schedule, helping to keep storm water moving and to help prevent streets from flooding; as well as keep contaminates out of local watersheds.
Why this is important:
When it rains, stormwater carries directly into local watersheds, including the Great Swamp and the Passaic River:
- Animal waste and animal waste bags
- Antifreeze
- Fertilizers
- Garbage
- Gasoline
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Motor oil
- Paint
- Pesticides
CTEC Chair, Jessica Romeo, notes that “Residents and local businesses can play a vital role in helping to keep our local watersheds clean by adopting storm drains in their neighborhood clearing them regularly.
Adopting a drain is a meaningful and important way that Chatham Township residents can pitch in to help maintain the health of our environment. Together, as a community, we can do our part to protect the Great Swamp and the Passaic River. Caring for a drain is an easy, family friendly way to volunteer about 15 minutes a month to do something that really makes a difference. By adopting a drain, participants will help to prevent debris and trash from reaching our waterways. We hope everyone is excited to join the Adopt-a-Drain program.”
Adoption Process
The adoption process is easy and quick, and you will be able to adopt or un-adopt storm drains instantly.
- Sign up and adopt a storm drain – Chatham Township’s 1,021 storm drains have been uploaded into the tool. Pick one that will be easy for you to take care of: near your home, school, business, or a location you frequent. Any adult, group or child aged 14 or older (with parental consent) may adopt a drain.
- Learn how to keep your storm drain clean while staying safe at the same time– Adopt a Drain includes tips on how to keep your drain clean as well as the common household tools you’ll need for the job.
- Start raking! – Based on what your drain has collected you’ll either need to recycle, compost or dispose of materials safely in the trash. Cleanup frequency may vary based on the season and your drain’s conditions, but we recommend at least a monthly cleanup.
- Track your impact while patting yourself on the back – Adopt-a-Drain includes a tool to help you record the debris you’ve collected, estimate your impact and track town-wide results. Your efforts (which can take as few as 15 minutes based on your adopted site) will help keep our local rivers and streams clean.
A Pine Street storm drain, maintained by CTEC Chair Jessica Romeo, before and after cleaning.
Additional information
If you have further questions, email Richard Young
Helpful Links
Great Swamp Watershed Association
Passaic River Coalition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often do I need to clean my storm drain?
There’s no specific requirement for how often you need to sweep up. Most people clear their drain about twice a month but be sure to check the drain before and after big rainstorms to avoid flooding, during leaf collection season, and when snow begins to melt.
2. What special equipment do I need?
A rake, broom, dustpan, and bucket/pail should be all you need in terms of equipment; along with trash bags. In the event you are interested in adopting a storm drain on a busy street, it is advised that you wear bright clothing or reflectors. Be aware that leaves, if waterlogged, can be heavy enough to break a rake – a shovel may work better in such an instance.
3. What do I do with the debris I have collected?
Some sorting is involved. Cans, bottles, appropriate plastic should be cleaned and recycled. Compostable material like leaves and gumballs can be composted at the Tanglewood depot. Other debris like animal waste, plastics or other debris should go in the trash.
4. Is this a safe activity that I can do with my children or a scout group?
Adopt-a-Drain is meant to be a safe, family activity, however you must be 14 or older to work on clean-up and must be an adult to sign the waiver. Please take a moment to review our tips on how to clear your drain and stay safe while doing it at the New Jersey Adopt-a-Drain website.
5. Who can adopt a drain?
You must be an adult to adopt a drain and sign the liability waiver. However, young people 14 years of age or older may work on clean-up with parental consent.
6. My time commitments have changes, can I unadopt my drain?
While we ask you to commit to clearing your adopted drain for at least one year, we will assume you are continuing to participate in the program until you notify us otherwise. You can discontinue your participation at any time by logging in to your account and unadopting your drain, or by sending an email to info@adopt-a-drain.org – we’ll be happy to help.
7. What is entailed in estimating the amount of debris I collect? Do I Need to use a scale?
In order to help us track the positive impact of Adopt-a-Drain on our watersheds, we are asking you to roughly calculate the amount of debris you collect when you clean your drain(s). You will do this online when you log into your account, choose to “Track Impact” and then “Add a Cleaning.” You can report the estimate in pounds or gallons; our online calculator will translate gallons into pounds for most types of debris-remember, we just need a rough estimate!
If you find that the record-keeping is getting in the way of the cleaning, don’t sweat it! It’s much more important that you do the clean-up. Please report in the Adopt-a-Drain tool at least quarterly so we can collect some data and know that you’re taking care of your drain.
8. What happens if there are materials by or in my drain that I do not feel comfortable / able to remove?
Safety first! Never do anything to put yourself at risk. At no time should you clean inside the drain. If you feel your drain needs extra cleaning (i.e. chronic flooding or blockage), please contact the Chatham Township Department of Public Works, and a Public Works employee will be assigned to address the issue.
For sanitary sewer back-ups at any time, and emergencies occurring nights or weekends, please call the Police Department.
9. How can I promote my efforts to my neighbors and the community?
We’re so glad you asked! There are several ways you can help us promote the program and the importance of storm-water management.
Talk up the program to your neighbors and friends and encourage them to join!
If you take any great photos when you’re out there cleaning your drain, share them with us on social media (Chatham Township Environmental Commission on Facebook).
Or email us at RYoung@chathamtownship.org and share your story so that we can promote on social media.
