ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — City leaders in St. Pete Beach say they are hoping residents will volunteer for a new Adopt-A-Drain program, which aims to keep the pipes flowing and improve water quality in Tampa Bay.

“This is a proactive way to keep them clean,” said city commissioner Mark Grill. “Hopefully, prevent any future problems.” 

Grill said he pushed for the program, which launched on Feb. 16, and was the first volunteer to sign up.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of St. Pete Beach launched an Adopt-A-Drain program on Feb. 16

  • When signing up for the program, volunteers agree to maintain their adopted storm drain for at least one full year

  • The city provides volunteers with safety vests, gloves, rakes, garden bags and traffic cones

“I have two drains that I’ve signed up for,” he said. “Anything we can do to improve water quality and not degrade it further is very important.”

St. Pete Beach has approximately 865 storm drains across the city, according to spokesperson Sarah Laracuente. City leaders say the Adopt-A-Drain program will reduce the potential for flooding and improve water quality by ensuring storm drains are free and clear of debris.

“There’s a small sign up process,” said Grill. “You watch a video, you sign some forms. It’s all online.”

The program calls for volunteers to agree to maintain their adopted storm drain for at least one full year, according to the interest form. The city provides equipment, including safety vests, gloves, rakes, garden bags and traffic cones. 

Volunteers are asked to perform at least 12 cleanups, ideally with the bulk of these occurring during the rainy season from May to October.

“It’s a voluntary program — no one’s required to do this,” said Grill. “The city is not moving work from the city to residents.”

Betty Rzewnicki, who lives in the Don CeSar neighborhood, was the second resident to volunteer for the program.

“Take the opportunity to help our city, help the environment,” she said. “Sign up, take one storm water drain. Every once in a while walk around with a bag and pick up some garbage.” 

Rzewnicki said she has been picking trash out of storm drains for years. Back in June 2021, she took photos of street flooding in a neighborhood that she said was caused by trash bags clogging a storm drain.

“The garbage was so backed up that there was about eight trash bags that I literally pulled out of the flex valve,” she said. “Immediately the water was then pushed out.”

According to the Adopt-A-Drain interest form, city code prohibits the dumping of any waste — including chemicals, oil, sewage, trash and yard waste — into the street, storm sewer system or any water body in the county. To report pollution, call the city's Public Works Department at 727-363-9243.

As part of the Adopt-A-Drain program, the city will email or text notifications before large storms to remind volunteers to clear their drain before it rains. The city modeled a similar program that Pinellas County started last year.