A project of the Glen Rock Environmental Commission and Green Team, the Adopt A Storm Drain program brings together the passion and pride of citizen volunteers with the technical savvy of Borough staff to make Glen Rock safer, cleaner, greener and more beautiful. By adopting a storm drain, you will help to beautify the neighborhood, reduce localized flooding, and help stop litter and debris from entering our waterways.
How to Adopt a Storm Drain:
Step 1: Select a storm drain
Take note of the storm drains near your home, workplace, school, or house of worship. You will need the address of the home or building that the storm drain is in front of.
Step 2: Fill out the storm drain adoption form
This form will allow us to track which storm drains have been adopted.
Take note of the storm drains near your home, workplace, school, or house of worship. You will need the address of the home or building that the storm drain is in front of.
Step 2: Fill out the storm drain adoption form
This form will allow us to track which storm drains have been adopted.
Step 3: Clean It. Here's How:
Plan to clean your storm strain 1-4x a month, depending on the season and weather.
Your storm drain will probably need more attention when the leaves are falling from the trees, and before and after big rain storms. We ask that everyone check in on their adorable storm drains at least once a week.
Plan to clean your storm strain 1-4x a month, depending on the season and weather.
Your storm drain will probably need more attention when the leaves are falling from the trees, and before and after big rain storms. We ask that everyone check in on their adorable storm drains at least once a week.
Optional: Share pics of your storm drain with us or on social media!
Email - GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com
FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/GlenRockGreenTeam Use #GreenUpGlenRock
Email - GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com
FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/GlenRockGreenTeam Use #GreenUpGlenRock
Video
FAQ
What is a storm drain?
A storm drain (sometimes called a catch basin) is a drain with the sole function of collecting stormwater from streets and transporting it to local underground waterways. When it rains (or snows), stormwater runoff carries litter, debris and other pollutants to catch basins on the street. Unfortunately, during heavy precipitation events litter and debris can overwhelm the catch basins, sending pollutants into the stormwater sewer system and eventually into our waterways. This litter can clog drains, flooding local streets and filling the roadways with trash.
Why are we doing this?/How does this help?
The purpose of this program is: 1) to keep the storm drains clear of debris to avoid flooding and allow for proper storm water drainage; and 2) to prevent plastics and other harmful materials from collecting in the storm waters that feed into streams, rivers, and the ocean, which then causes harm wildlife.
Who can Adopt a Storm Drain?
Individual residents
Scout Troops
Schools
Houses of Worship
Businesses
Organizations
Rec Teams
Clubs
Is there a minimum age to adopt a drain?
Only adults can adopt storm drains and it will be up to those adults to monitor their minors.
Curb Paintings
We will not be painting storm drains.
How long is the commitment?
1 Year commitment.
How often do we clean the storm drain?
Once a week check-in .
Should I fish things out of the drain?
Safety first. If it will put your safety at risk, you should not fish things out of the storm drain. You may report what you have found to the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 and email us at GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
What to do with garbage?
Using work gloves, garbage should be put into trash bags, taken home, and disposed of as you would dispose any other household garbage. If there is a lot of garbage around the storm drain, using a shovel and rake or broom to collect the garbage (in addition to work gloves) could be helpful.
What to do with leaves?
Leaves should be collected in a separate trash bag, taken home, and disposed of as you would dispose leaves on your own property. Green Team members like to compost leaves ;)
Should I take and share pictures of my drain?
Sure! Taking pictures and sharing would be an excellent opportunity to educate and bring awareness to the importance of clean storm drains. You can post pictures to Facebook or email them to us and we'll post them for you, GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
What if I find some thing dangerous?
Call either the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 or the Glen Rock Dispatch (201) 652-3800
Why isn’t the DPW doing this?
The DPW has limited personnel resources and usually can only respond when a clogged storm drain is reported. This program is aimed to supplement the efforts of the DPW and to prevent storm drains from clogging in the first place.
How can people with disabilities participate?
People with disabilities can help by reporting storm drains that are covered by debris to the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 and by emailing us at GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
A storm drain (sometimes called a catch basin) is a drain with the sole function of collecting stormwater from streets and transporting it to local underground waterways. When it rains (or snows), stormwater runoff carries litter, debris and other pollutants to catch basins on the street. Unfortunately, during heavy precipitation events litter and debris can overwhelm the catch basins, sending pollutants into the stormwater sewer system and eventually into our waterways. This litter can clog drains, flooding local streets and filling the roadways with trash.
Why are we doing this?/How does this help?
The purpose of this program is: 1) to keep the storm drains clear of debris to avoid flooding and allow for proper storm water drainage; and 2) to prevent plastics and other harmful materials from collecting in the storm waters that feed into streams, rivers, and the ocean, which then causes harm wildlife.
Who can Adopt a Storm Drain?
Individual residents
Scout Troops
Schools
Houses of Worship
Businesses
Organizations
Rec Teams
Clubs
Is there a minimum age to adopt a drain?
Only adults can adopt storm drains and it will be up to those adults to monitor their minors.
Curb Paintings
We will not be painting storm drains.
How long is the commitment?
1 Year commitment.
How often do we clean the storm drain?
Once a week check-in .
Should I fish things out of the drain?
Safety first. If it will put your safety at risk, you should not fish things out of the storm drain. You may report what you have found to the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 and email us at GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
What to do with garbage?
Using work gloves, garbage should be put into trash bags, taken home, and disposed of as you would dispose any other household garbage. If there is a lot of garbage around the storm drain, using a shovel and rake or broom to collect the garbage (in addition to work gloves) could be helpful.
What to do with leaves?
Leaves should be collected in a separate trash bag, taken home, and disposed of as you would dispose leaves on your own property. Green Team members like to compost leaves ;)
Should I take and share pictures of my drain?
Sure! Taking pictures and sharing would be an excellent opportunity to educate and bring awareness to the importance of clean storm drains. You can post pictures to Facebook or email them to us and we'll post them for you, GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
What if I find some thing dangerous?
Call either the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 or the Glen Rock Dispatch (201) 652-3800
Why isn’t the DPW doing this?
The DPW has limited personnel resources and usually can only respond when a clogged storm drain is reported. This program is aimed to supplement the efforts of the DPW and to prevent storm drains from clogging in the first place.
How can people with disabilities participate?
People with disabilities can help by reporting storm drains that are covered by debris to the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980 and by emailing us at GreenUpGlenRock@gmail.com.
