Every storm drain in Falmouth and Mashpee carries rainwater, and whatever it picks up, straight into the watershed. CPWB volunteers adopt drains near home, keep them clear and log what they find, so the towns know where to act.
Why storm drains matter
Storm drains aren’t connected to a treatment plant. Whatever washes into them, including sediment, litter, pet waste, fertilizer, oil and road grit, ends up in Waquoit Bay, its rivers and our freshwater ponds. There are about 1,680 storm drains in the Waquoit Bay watershed. Regular checks help:
- Reduce pollutants flowing into Waquoit Bay and local ponds
- Prevent street flooding during heavy rain
- Show the towns which drains need service
- Find the best places for more environmentally friendly drainage
How it works
- Sign up on the Storm Drain Adoption site and claim one or more drains near you.
- Visit your drain about once a year and after heavy rain. Clear away debris or trash and measure the depth of sediment in the basin.
- Log your reading on the site. If you find a drain that isn’t on the map yet, add it with a photo and a coordinator will review it.
Progress
The project launched on June 27, 2026, with a kickoff in Waquoit (read the launch story). By CPWB’s Annual Meeting on August 6, 2026, 55 volunteers had adopted 129 drains. The goal is to have every drain in the watershed adopted and checked.
Drafted with AI assistance from the linked source.
