Adopt-a-Drain

Help keep our waterways clean by adopting a drain in your neighborhood! Through Lexington’s Adopt-a-Drain program, residents can volunteer to care for a local storm drain and check on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow.

What is an Adopt-a-Drain program? What does it mean to adopt a drain?

An Adopt-a-Drain program is a volunteer program that helps keep our local environment clean and healthy. Participants sign up to adopt a drain (or drains!) and then check on that drain before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Any extra care is even better! Anything that goes down the drain ends up in the Mystic River or Lakes, which is why this program is so helpful. Keeping the drains clear can also help prevent streets from flooding as it ensures that water can freely flow down the drain.

What am I adopting? What is a storm drain?

Storm drains are the grates you see in streets and roads. They’ll be to the side of the road, along the curb. Since asphalt and pavement can’t absorb water, any rain and melting snow flow along the street and into these drains.

A basin below the grates, called a catch basin, is meant to collect this water and any debris, but it can fill up quickly and doesn’t capture everything. Water that goes into the drains — and anything in that water, like trash — doesn’t get treated or go to a wastewater plant; instead, it empties into nearby water bodies.

How can I get involved?

Just head to our website to sign up! Find a drain by typing in a nearby address or by dragging the map. If the drain you want to adopt is available, you can claim it by clicking on it. Sign up for the program, give your drain a name, and keep an eye out for a welcome email with more info. You can adopt as many drains as you would like to care for.

Have a question about Adopt-a-Drain?

• Reach out to our engineering team.