CPWB launched its Storm Drain Project on Saturday morning, June 27, with a kickoff in the Westies parking lot at Route 28 and Metoxit Road in Waquoit. Neighbors learned why storm drains matter to the Bay and how quick and simple it is to look after one.
The goal is to monitor every storm drain around Waquoit Bay in Falmouth and Mashpee. There are about 1,680 of them in the watershed, so there are plenty to go around. Regular checks help us:
- 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 CPWB Storm Drain Adoption site and claim one or more drains near you. When you visit, clear away any debris or trash and measure the depth of sediment in the basin. Then log your reading on the site. If you find a drain that isn’t on the map yet, you can add it with a photo, and a coordinator will review it.
What it means for the Bay
Whatever washes into a storm drain doesn’t stay there. Adopting a drain is one of the most practical ways any resident can help the water quality of Waquoit Bay, its tributaries and our freshwater ponds. It takes a few minutes, and the readings give the towns real data on where to act.
Update, August 2026: By CPWB’s Annual Meeting on August 6, 55 volunteers had adopted 129 drains. Thank you, adopters!
Drafted with AI assistance from the linked source.
