Jump to main content or area navigation.

Contact Us

Water: Middle School

Exercise I. Adopt-A-Street Program in Your 'Hood'

stopx1-0

First, A Few Good Examples

Everything that is washed down street gutters affects the health of the waterways around you. Storm drain stenciling is a good way to remind people not to throw used oil, trash, and other objects down the gutters. Adopt-A-Street is a similar program.

Many cities have Adopt-A-Street programs. Adopt-A-Street is a partnership between a city and its residents. Groups or individuals agree to adopt a mile or more of city streets and keep them clean. The city provides organizational help, cleanup supplies, free hauling, and street signs that identify the Adopt-A-Street sponsors. Little Rock, Arkansas; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Westminster, Colorado are three good examples of cities that have successfully started Adopt-A-Street programs. You can see what these cities are doing by visiting the following Web sites:

Before You Get Started...

Visit EPA's Web site on combined sewer overflows

What is a CSO (combined sewer overflow)?

 

What is a wet weather discharge?

 

Why is it important not to throw trash and pollutants into a storm drain?

 

Little Rock, Arkansas: Adopt-A-Street Program Exit EPA Disclaimer

Greensboro, North Carolina: Adopt-A-Street Program

Westminster, Colorado: Adopt-A-Street Program [Broken] Exit EPA Disclaimer

Now, Create Your Own

Activity 1:

Are you part of an Adopt-A-Street program? Investigate whether your city will provide support for an Adopt-A-Street program by calling the Department of Public Works.

Activity 2:

As a class, you can set up an Adopt-A-Street group for the stretch of road outside your school. You can also start an Adopt-A-Street program for your neighborhood or housing development.

Middle Schools  |  Stop Pointless Personal Pollution  |    Exercise: I  |  II  |  III  |  IV  | 

Top of page




Jump to main content.