The Impact of Debris on Storm Drains

Storm drains can quickly become clogged with all sorts of debris, including leaves, dirt, grass clippings, plastic bags and bottles, cigarette butts, oil slicks, pet waste and more. All of this debris can block the flow of water in the drain, resulting in flooding and other types of water damage that could have been avoided if the drain had been kept clear. The debris also has an impact on the environment itself; when it gets washed away with runoff during storms or snowmelt it can end up in rivers and streams or even oceans where it can pollute the water and have an adverse effect on wildlife. 

Keeping Storm Drains Clear 

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to help keep your local storm drains clear of debris. You should make sure not to dump anything down a storm drain—not even biodegradable materials like grass clippings or leaves—as these can still cause blockages in the pipes that lead away from the drain. If you see any kind of debris near or inside a storm drain near you, pick it up and dispose of it properly instead of leaving it there. Additionally, if you notice any kind of blockage or obstruction in one of your local storm drains that could pose a risk for flooding or other damage then you should contact your local government agency so they can deal with the issue promptly. 

Storm drains are an essential part of California’s infrastructure system—they help protect populated areas from flooding by channeling runoff away from them during storms or snowmelt events—but they need to be kept clean in order to function properly. It’s important for everyone living in California to understand why keeping their local storm drains clear is so important for both environmental protection as well as public safety purposes. If we all do our part to keep our storm drains clean then we will be able to ensure our environment remains safe and healthy for generations to come!