Celebrate World Water Day with this 5-Step DIY Activity

Today is World Water Day – an annual United Nations observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water and encourages people around the globe to participate in activities that protect our water resources.

Reducing stormwater pollution in our neighborhoods is an activity everyone can take part in.

Urbanization has fundamentally altered the way that water moves through the landscape. Stormwater that doesn’t soak into the ground runs along streets and parking lots and picks up pollutants. Much of the pollution in our nation’s waterways comes from everyday materials like fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, trash and plastics, and household chemicals. Rainwater washes these substances from streets, yards, and driveways into storm drains.

It’s a common misconception that storm drains lead to wastewater treatment plants. In actuality, storm drains rarely lead to treatment plants and, instead, untreated water is carried directly to the nearest waterway. This polluted runoff can have negative impacts on water quality, overstimulate algal growth (both toxic and non-toxic), harm aquatic species and wildlife, and cause trash and debris to enter our lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans.

Storm Drain Cleaning

Keeping neighborhood storm drains cleaned is a simple activity with big impacts. Removing debris that collects in nearby stormwater catch basins, storm drains, and along curbs promotes cleaner runoff, reduces the potential for flooding, and decreases the amount of pollution and trash entering our waterways.

5 Simple DIY Steps for Storm Drain Cleaning:

1. Rake/sweep and discard debris that has collected on top of the storm grate and in curbside rain gutters. Please note: If you notice a major blockage or issue with a storm drain, contact your local municipality immediately.

2. Use a scrub brush or toilet bowl scrubber to remove debris that may be stuck to the storm grate.

3. Adopt a storm drain(s) and maintain a regular cleaning schedule: Make a note on your calendar each quarter to clean and clear debris from storm drains nearby your home or workplace. And, make a habit of checking your storm drains after rainstorms when clogging is most common.

4. Host a community clean-up day that includes trash pick-up, storm drain cleaning, and disseminating information on the impacts of stormwater runoff and what we can do to help.

5. Consider contacting your local watershed association or municipality about getting drain markers installed on storm drains throughout the community. The markers act as a continued public reminder that anything dumped into a storm drain eventually ends up in our precious waterways downstream.

World Water Day 2023 asks people to “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Your actions can help solve the water crisis. Remember: small actions lead to big achievements in protecting water quality.

• Environmental Action
• Stormwater Management