City of Draper launches new Storm Drain Adoption program to combat flooding

DRAPER, Utah – The city of Draper announced Tuesday a new program they are launching to combat localized flooding issues that have affected other Utah cities.

“A rainy day is the ideal time to check the storm drains around your property to see how they are flowing,” the city wrote in a press release.

Across the city, rain and snowmelt wash everything on city streets and paved surfaces into storm drains that flow directly into creeks, creeks, rivers and lakes. And during rain and snow, city officials say residents can keep storm drains clear of leaves, grass, trash and other debris to prevent localized flooding.

The Adopt a Storm Drain program encourages residents and businesses to “adopt” the city’s storm drains and try to keep them clear of debris. Residents can see the number of storm drains available and their locations on an online map here.

Once a resident or business signs up for the program, volunteers are asked to inspect their adopted drains once a month and before and after each storm. Volunteer reports also help storm drain staff resolve problems more quickly.

Draper currently has over 3,500 storm drains. Interested people can select available drains and submit short adoption applications.