Adopt A Drain

Montclair's Adopt-A-Drain Program

Flooding regularly disrupts transportation, damages property, and closes schools and businesses in Montclair’s low-lying areas. Economic losses and property damage are common during intense rainfall that leads to flooding.

Montclair has implemented a range of flood mitigation actions including updated stormwater management ordinances (2020) to meet NJDEP green infrastructure standards. The Township is also integrating stormwater management into redevelopment reviews and pursuing green infrastructure retrofits in public facilities and schools. However, as a municipality with aging and undersized storm drains, Montclair still faces frequent corridor flooding – often worsened when litter and leaves clog the drains. Your help in keeping drains clear is essential to reducing flood impacts in our community.

An Adopt-a-Drain program is an initiative run by many cities and counties to engage residents in protecting local waterways and reducing flooding. Participants adopt a nearby storm drain, and commit to keeping it clean by removing leaves, litter, and other debris several times a year – especially before and after storms. 

There are so many benefits:

• Get recognized! Share cleanup photos for a spotlight on our website and newsletter.
• Simple, low-effort action with big environmental benefits.
• Teach kids and neighbors about environmental stewardship, urban infrastructure, and the importance of community action.
• Protects our local waterways from trash and chemicals.
• Reduces flood risk and risk of property damage.