Adopt-a-Drain Charleston

How to Care for Your Drain

INSPECTION & DEBRIS REMOVAL
- When possible, clear your storm drain prior to, and following, any rainfall.
- Always sweep, rake or shovel glass. Never pick up sharp objects with your hands.
- Never touch hazardous or medical waste including automotive fluids and hypodermic needles. Report these items and anything else that may be hazardous to the non-emergency police number at 843-577-7434 for City of Charleston or 843-202-1700 for Charleston County. .
- Garbage bags, buckets, brooms and landscaping gloves are generally helpful when inspecting and cleaning a storm drain.
- Sweep material away from the storm drain, not into it — and capture it for disposal as you can.
- To the extent possible, place recyclables and garbage into your residential bins (or commercial bins if you’re adopting near your workplace).
- Clear surface debris only; let City of Charleston Stormwater crews handle garbage or hazards inside the catch basin.
  NEVER ATTEMPT TO ENTER INTO A STORM DRAIN.
- Clear debris within the curb area several yards along each side of the storm drain, especially the uphill side.
- Do not use power tools. Carry tools carefully to avoid hitting others. Always use the right tools for the job.
- Please complete and send a Field Inspection Report after inspecting and servicing your adopted drain. Click on your adopted drain send a report.
- Never attempt to clear debris if there is moving water greater than knee deep or that prevents you from having a clear view of the drain.
- Be cautious when walking on potential slippery and uneven surfaces.
GENERAL SAFETY
- Call 911 for emergencies. If injured while volunteering, please immediately seek necessary medical attention.
- Safety comes first!
- Wear durable or heavy, closed toe, shoes/boots, preferably with ankle support.
- Wear gloves and durable pants, tops, jackets, and hats.
- Always stay hydrated.
- Wash hands and any clothing after contact with stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants, including bacteria. Have first aid supplies available.
- Clear immediately in front of and the area several yards along each side of your adopted storm drain only when safe. If a drain is still clogged after you removed the surface debris, please use the report a problem button on the drain's popup to request service.
- Make sure an adult is present and supervising any person under the age of eighteen who may be assisting with the inspection and cleaning of a storm drain.
- DO NOT attempt to, remove, lift, move or reset a storm drain grate, cap, or lid. They are very heavy, can cause injury, and most likely will cause an injury.
- Always be courteous to fellow volunteers and neighborhood residents; never use vulgar language or engage in threatening or disruptive actions or conversation.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
- Wear highly visible, brightly colored or reflective clothing to alert traffic and drivers of your presence near the road.
- Where possible, stay out of the street. Work from the sidewalk or curbside and watch for traffic.
- Do not clear drains in the middle of any street.
- Do not inspect or clean drains at night.
- Walk across streets at signals and crosswalks, not mid-block. Always work with a partner.
- Do not go into storm drains and do not block travel lanes.
- Work facing traffic.
- Be aware of your surroundings, make sure to watch for cars; whenever possible, work with a partner who can watch for traffic hazards while you are cleaning the storm drain.

Learn more about stormwater protection and what you can do!

Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium is a partnership between communities, universities, agencies and non-profits working together to implement a regional, watershed-scale stormwater runoff education strategy in the Charleston urbanized area.

Their mission is to improve water quality within the Ashley and Cooper River basins by providing educational opportunities on stormwater impacts and our community roles in supporting healthy, fishable, and swimmable waterways.
Stormwater 101
Stormwater 101 is provided by Clemson Extension's Carolina Clear program. Carolina Clear works hand-in-hand with environmental educators, colleges and universities, municipalities, counties, stormwater engineers, and local non-profits to provide trainings, workshops, resources, tools, demonstration projects, and events to meet the educational needs of its community partners.
What else can I do?

Resources for various audiences are provided by Clemson Extension's Carolina Clear program:
Homeowners
As a homeowner, you have the opportunity to be responsible for your property's environmental impact. If you live along a stream or lake, you have an even greater responsibility to protect water this water resource for everyone downstream of you.
Pet Owners
Most pet owners know better than to leave pet waste on the ground, in the yard, and on sidewalks; however, pet waste droppings can still be seen on trails, sidewalks, and around the neighborhood. What is often overlooked is that pet waste contains bacteria that can affect our drinking water supply reservoirs and streams. This bacteria can lead to health concerns when one comes into contact with polluted waterways - gastrointestinal issues, swimmer's itch, and eye infections can result.
Restaurant Owners
Carolina Clear provides educational materials to assist with educational efforts on FOG (Fats, Grease and Oil) for restaurants. FOG often finds its way down the drain, which can be devastating to our environment and lead to compliance issues for restaurants.
Professionals
There are many industries and audiences involved in the discussion of stormwater management. Carolina Clear provides guidance, using general stormwater management concepts, for professionals working in South Carolina whose work is related to or potentially impacts stormwater systems.

Adopt-a Drain is a City and County initiative to encourage residents to adopt, inspect, maintain, and report stormwater drainage issues. We appreciate your taking this initial step to care for our stormwater system!

Your safety and enjoyment are important to us. All volunteers are urged to participate in a safe, courteous, and legal manner while participating in activities on City and County property or the City and County rights-of-way. All volunteers must follow the following guidelines when volunteering to promote a successful Storm Drain Adoption experience and to protect the safety of the volunteer.

INSPECTION & DEBRIS REMOVAL

When possible, clear your storm drain prior to, and following, any rainfall.
Always sweep, rake, or shovel glass. Never pick up sharp objects with your hands.
Never touch hazardous or medical waste including automotive fluids and hypodermic needles. Report these items and anything else that may be hazardous to the non-emergency police number at:
- (843) 577-7434 (City of Charleston)
- (843) 866-6522 (Isle of Palms)
- (843) 202-1700 (Charleston County)
Garbage bags, buckets, brooms and landscaping gloves are generally helpful when inspecting and cleaning a storm drain.
Sweep material away from the storm drain, not into it — and capture it for disposal as you can.
To the extent possible, place recyclables and garbage into your residential bins (or commercial bins if you’re adopting near your workplace).
Clear surface debris only; let City or County Stormwater crews handle garbage or hazards inside the catch basin.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO ENTER INTO A STORM DRAIN.
Clear debris within the curb area several yards along each side of the storm drain, especially the uphill side.
Do not use power tools. Carry tools carefully to avoid hitting others. Always use the right tools for the job.
Please complete and send a Field Inspection Report after inspecting and servicing your adopted drain. Click on your adopted drain to submit a report.
Never attempt to clear debris if there is moving water.
Be cautious when walking on potential slippery and uneven surfaces.

GENERAL SAFETY

Call 911 for emergencies. If injured while volunteering, please immediately seek necessary medical attention.
Safety comes first!
Wear durable or heavy, closed toe, shoes/boots, preferably with ankle support.
Wear gloves and durable pants, tops, jackets, and hats.
Always stay hydrated.
Wash hands and any clothing after contact with stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants, including bacteria. Have first aid supplies available.
Clear immediately in front of and the area several yards along each side of your adopted storm drain only when safe. If a drain is still clogged after you removed the surface debris, please report online at:
Make sure an adult is present and supervising any person under the age of eighteen who may be assisting with the inspection and cleaning of a storm drain.
DO NOT attempt to, remove, lift, move or reset a storm drain grate, cap, or lid. They are very heavy, can cause injury, and most likely will cause an injury.
Always be courteous to fellow volunteers and neighborhood residents; never use vulgar language or engage in threatening or disruptive actions or conversation.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

Wear highly visible, brightly colored or reflective clothing to alert traffic and drivers of your presence near the road.
Where possible, stay off the street. Work from the sidewalk or curbside and watch for traffic.
Do not clear drains in the middle of any street.
Do not inspect or clean drains at night.
Walk across streets at signals and crosswalks, not mid-block. Always work with a partner.
Do not go into storm drains and do not block travel lanes.
Work facing traffic.
Be aware of your surroundings, make sure to watch for cars; whenever possible, work with a partner who can watch for traffic hazards while you are cleaning the storm drain.

INSPECTION REPORT

In the event you suspect someone is illegally dumping into the storm drain system, please contact:
- (843) 724-3761 or Online (City of Charleston)
- (843) 202-7600 or Online (Charleston County)
- (843) 886-6148 or Online (Isle of Palms)
In the event you find a loose or faulty manhole cover or grate, or if you notice any other type of defect or problem, please contact:
- (843) 724-7367 or Online (City of Charleston)
- (843) 202-7600 or Online (Charleston County)
- (843) 886-6148 or Online (Isle of Palms)
In the event you notice that the stormwater drain is clogged, please contact:
(843) 724-7367 or Online (City of Charleston)
(843) 202-7600 or Online (Charleston County)
(843) 886-6148 or Online (Isle of Palms)

INDEMNITY

In consideration of the privilege of being allowed to take part in the City of Charleston, Charleston County, and City of Isle of Palms Adopt-A-Drain Program, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged the undersigned does hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Charleston, Charleston County, City of Isle of Palms and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (where the volunteer is working on SCDOT roads), its elected and appointed officials, agents, servants, volunteers, and employees from and against all claims, demands, causes of action of whatsoever kind, and for any resulting judgments, losses, costs, damages, liability, expenses, including, but no limited to attorneys’ fees arising out of, occurring during or relating to my participation in the City and County's Adopt-a-Drain Program.

I further acknowledge and authorize the photographing, videotaping and publication of such photographs and videotapes of myself participating in the Adopt-a-Drain program to promote or publicize the City and County's Program.

I understand and acknowledge that the City of Charleston, Charleston County, and City of Isle of Palms reserves the right to immediately withdraw any volunteer from this program if, at the discretion of the City and County, the volunteer’s conduct is determined inconsistent with these Volunteer Guidelines, violates any local, state or federal law, or is hazardous to the health and welfare of the volunteer or the general public.

Total Program Adoptions 606		Adopted
		Not Adopted
		Your Drain
		Unavailable

A drain before adoption & cleaning

A drain after adoption & cleaning

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