City program seeks community involvement to maintain drainage systems.
Every superhero needs a sidekick, and in Coquitlam, the city’s 16,000 catch basins are in need of community assistance.
These street-side grates help direct rainwater safely into the city’s drainage system and prevent local flooding. Blocked grates can lead to issues, and residents are encouraged to step in and help.
The City’s Adopt-a-Catch Basin program invites residents, families, schools, and businesses to ‘adopt’ a catch basin near their homes or workplaces. Participants are tasked with keeping the basins clear, naming them, and thereby helping protect local waterways.
Reasons to adopt a catch basin include ensuring street safety during heavy rain or snow, protecting stream habitats for fish and wildlife, and taking pride in neighborhood maintenance. Naming the basin can also be a fun, creative activity.
Checking basins regularly and clearing debris are essential tasks. Autumn and winter months require particular vigilance, with leaves and snow often causing blockages.
Adopt one or more basins at coquitlam.ca/AdoptACatchBasin. Instructions and limited supplies are available.
Residents can also participate in the Storm Drain Marking Program. Yellow fish symbols near drains remind the public that these lead to local creeks, affecting wildlife habitats.
The program provides marking kits and aims to increase public awareness regarding water contamination. Information is available through the Environment Division at WaterConservation@coquitlam.ca.
Coquitlam has an Environmental Sustainability Plan, finalized in January 2022, guiding its long-term environmental efforts. The plan covers climate action, waste management, water management, and more.
For further information, contact Julie Kanya, Manager of Environmental Education & Enforcement, at epw@coquitlam.ca.