Join a community of volunteers across the city who keep our local storm drains clear of garbage, leaves, and debris to protect our waterways and reduce flooding. Federal Way is part of Washington Adopt-A-Drain (AAD), leading regional efforts to protect Puget Sound!

How to "adopt" a storm drain

Volunteer fifteen minutes, once a month, for cleaner waterways and healthier communities. Storm drains flow directly to rivers, lakes, creeks, and the Puget Sound, acting as a conduit for trash and organic pollutants.

Adopt-a-Drain asks individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution and help prevent localized flooding.

Getting Started

Find your storm drain

The Adopt-A-Drain (AAD) Program online tool lets you adopt a storm drain in your neighborhood.

Sign up for Adopt-A-Drain Federal Way

Signing up lets you name your drain and create a volunteer profile. You will be making a commitment to monitor and maintain your “rain” drain. The online tool lets you report what is collected from around your drain. Collectively we can show the impact our community of volunteers is making toward a stronger and cleaner Federal Way.

We recommend that when choosing a drain pick one that will be easy for you to access and take care of. This could mean picking one near your home, school, business or somewhere you go frequently.

Next Steps to Clear a Storm Drain

1. Helpful tools for cleaning

Visit South King Tool Library to borrow tools like rakes and shovels for cleaning. 

2. Learn about your storm drain

Storm drains are used to collect and transfer excess rain to our waterways; however, stormwater runoff often collects pollutants along the way. All runoff that enters the storm drains is not treated, which means pollutants can end up in our waterways in Federal Way. 

3. Safety first

We ask that you respect the following safety guidelines when cleaning:

• Do not remove the grate or otherwise attempt to clean the inside. Clean only on top of the storm drain grate and the area around it.
• Stand on the curb when clearing drains, not in the street. Please don't clear drains on major streets and arterials.
• Wear gloves and always use a broom, rake, or other tool to clear the drain. Never use your bare hands to move debris.
• Use a dustpan, shovel, trash can lid, or other tool to pick up the collected debris and/or trash
• Clear your drain only if it is safe. If the drain is still clogged after you've removed the surface debris, report to the City of Federal Way using our Eyes on Federal Way app or website. 

4. Separate and dispose of waste

To dispose of waste, separate it into three categories and place it in the appropriate receptacle: trash, recyclables (Clean glass and plastic bottles, cans) and compostables (leaves, grass clippings, and sticks). When in doubt, especially if its grimy, throw it in the trash.

5. Keep in touch

Please help us track the impact of adopt-a-drain by estimating the amount of debris you collect when you clean your drain(s). Report that amount to us at least twice a year—at the start of winter and at the end of spring— by logging in to your account and clicking on “track your impact.” You can report the estimate in pounds or gallons; our online calculator will translate gallons into pounds for most types of debris.  We can accomplish a lot together and it's important to see our collective impact! 

If you take any great photos when you’re out there cleaning your drain, share them with us by emailing SWM@federalwaywa.gov