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Home > Home, property, and development > Water, sewer, and energy > Leaks, flooding, and drainage > Adopt a catch basin
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- Public safety
Adopt a catch basin and help keep your neighbourhood a vibrant, safe, and healthy space.
Vancouver has over 45,000 catch basins removing excess water from our streets at every rainfall. Leaves, debris, and litter can block catch basins and stop rainwater from properly draining.
When you volunteer to adopt a catch basin and keep it clear, you:
- Protect public and private property from flooding
- Protect water quality by keeping leaves and debris from flowing into our rivers and streams
- Provide a fun way to involve kids in giving back to the community
Adoption in three steps
- Choose and name your catch basin
- Check your email inbox for a welcome package
- Let the catch basin care begin!
Adopted a catch basin? Download your certificate 
(729 KB)
How to care for your catch basin
Caring for your catch basin is easy! The best time to check on your catch basin is before and after a heavy rainfall and when trees lose their leaves.
Check to make sure your catch basin is clear of leaves, debris, and litter.
If your catch basin is blocked, use a rake, broom, or shovel to push leaves and debris away from the curb and catch basin grate. This will allow water to drain into the catch basin and prevent flooding.
If you can't clear the catch basin, report non-emergency flooding online.
Your safety is important to us! Remember to follow the safety guidelines outlined in your adoption welcome package.
Contact us
Is your catch basin not on the map or do you have other questions or comments about the program?
Get involved with other City programs
Neighbourhood Cleanup Party
When you host or join a Neighbourhood Cleanup Party, the cleaning is part of the fun!
Adopt-a-Block Program
Keep the neighbourhood block of your choice clean, safe, and attractive.
Remove graffiti on private property
Remove graffiti, or tagging, from your property with a community paint-out or our free paint program.
Green Streets Program
Beautify traffic calming areas in your neighbourhood as a volunteer gardener.
