Taking Care of Storm Drains
![STORM DRAINS](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/storm-drains.png)
Sewers work best when drains are clear!
![City of Philadelphia / Philadelphia Water Department](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/navy-pwd-logo-with-city-bell.png)
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/gold-leaf-e1637693026370-600x460.png)
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/animated-rain.gif)
Doing Your Part
![logo for the Storm Drain Marking program shows a hand holding a circular storm drain marker with a fish on it, over a dark blue background with lighter blue dashed lines in concentric circles reminiscent of both a sewer access hole cover, and ripples in water.](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/storm-drain-marking-logo.png)
Volunteer to mark storm drains
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/leaves-and-rake.png)
Storm Drain Marking
This is a great volunteer project, especially for organizations!
We’ll provide everything you need to educate neighbors about stormwater and its impact on our watersheds.
Keep litter, pollution, and yard waste out!
![fall leaves and a partially full single-use plastic water bottle](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/leaves-and-bottle-900x454.png)
Only rain should go in storm drains. Drains lead to streams and rivers.
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/no-poop.png)
Dog Poop
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/no-mop-water.png)
Mop Water
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/no-oil.png)
Oil/Grease
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/no-litter.png)
Litter
During storms, hard surfaces (like roofs and pavement) can collect water and create runoff.
Clogged inlets prevent runoff from entering sewers. Streets and sidewalks can flood.
Philadelphia uses green infrastructure (like green roofs and permeable pavement) to prevent pollution from stormwater runoff.
![show sewers some love!](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/show-sewers-some-love-1200x269.png)
Keep your property’s sewer connections healthy. Dispose of cooking grease properly in the trash or recycle it.
Never wash grease down your drain! Grease accumulates, and can lead to costly damages to sewers and your property’s plumbing.
![](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/inlet-cleaning-1200x800.jpg)
Our crews maintain thousands of storm drains across the city!
Help us take care of storm drains!
![drawing of a storm drain at the edge of the street cluttered with litter and leaves](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/trash-in-drain.png)
Request a cleaning for a storm drain.
Call “311“
or visit www.phila.gov/311
![the litter and leaves cluttering the storm drain block water from flowing in, so it floods the street around it](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/floodeddrain.png)
Report a clogged storm drain or flooded street.
Call PWD: (215) 685-6300
Tips for getting in touch:
Be ready to provide an address, or describe which corner or location needs attention. It helps to be specific!
Sign up to receive more tips and other news:
water.phila.gov/signup
![City of Philadelphia / Philadelphia Water Department](https://water.phila.gov/pool/images/navy-pwd-logo-with-city-bell.png)