Keep Storm Drains Clear This Fall: What You Can Do to Help
Published on November 10, 2025
Only rain should go down the drain. Keep leaves, limbs and trash out!
Storm drains capture rainwater and move it throughout our community to nearby streams. When leaves, trash or other debris block these drains, water can back up and cause flooding. With over 100,000 storm drain inlets across the area, it’s important to keep them clear to prevent flooding and protect our creeks. Here’s how you can help!
Check Storm Drains Often
If you see a storm drain near your home or business, take a moment to check it and remove any leaves or trash. If you can’t safely reach a storm drain along a street or there is a major blockage, report it:
Some streets are maintained by the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), especially major streets. Visit Go NC! to view an online map of state-maintained roads. To report issues on those streets:
What Happens After You Report It?
City of Charlotte:
- Charlotte Storm Water Services coordinates closely with the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) Street Maintenance Division. If you request storm drain cleaning, CDOT will send a crew to clear it. If you report other drainage concerns, Charlotte Storm Water Services will contact you, gather more info and may schedule a visit.
- Solid Waste Services provides specialized street cleaning services on city-maintained streets and rights-of-way. These services include street sweeping, litter control/removal and illegal dump cleanup.
Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville and unincorporated Mecklenburg County:
- Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services coordinates with the Public Works Departments in each municipality to address any concerns.
Volunteer to Keep Your Community Clean
Volunteer with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.
- Join us for a stream clean up.
- Adopt-A-Stream near you!
- Mark storm drains with “This Drain Is Only for Rain. Do Not Dump – Drains to Creek” decals.
- If you live in the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, or Pineville, check out our pilot Adopt-A-Drain program.
Volunteer to Adopt-A-City-Street through Keep Charlotte Beautiful or various cleanup programs through Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful.
Related Links
Learn More at Storm Water Services