The City of Wood Dale encourages residents to adopt a stormwater drain to assist with cleaning the grates of debris and making sure the drains are in safe working order. Adopters will be tasked with maintaining the drain’s overall performance. This will include cleaning debris from the top of the grates and reporting any issue to Public Works.

Purpose

Flooding can happen when large storms produce more precipitation than the storm drain system can handle as well as when the storm drain grates are blocked. These drains are a critical part of the City’s overall storm water management system that are placed and restricted in specifics ways to work properly with the surrounding area’s drainage pattern. When covered with debris, the drainage of the area can become hindered leading to unintended consequences. Wood Dale’s Public Work’s crews strive to maintain all sewer systems to the best of their abilities, but with the public’s help, the overall system can perform properly and help prevent drainage issues around town.

These storm water drains are a direct flow into Salt Creek and other local bodies of water. Leaves, dirt, garbage, grass clippings, cigarette butts, pesticides, fertilizers, and any road surface pollutants go untreated into these bodies of water. Taking steps to manage debris and other possible pollutants from entering these drains is crucial in helping the overall surrounding environment.

How to Adopt a Drain

If you know of a storm drain that you would like to adopt on your property or in an adjacent right of way, contact Public Work’s Office at (630) 350-3530 to claim your drain. Once approved, you can receive a safety vest, pair of gloves, and brown paper bags to assist in cleaning the drains.

Adopted drains will also be either stenciled or have an emblem placed on the cover that states the drain discharges to local waterways.

Adopt-a-Drain Program Brochure

Program Guidelines

Adopt-a-Drain Application

View larger map