Celebrating 10 years of adopt a catch basin
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the City's Adopt a Catch Basin program, a community initiative that empowers residents to help prevent neighbourhood flooding, protect local waterways and keep streets safe.
While catch basins are an important part of the City's drainage system year-round, they become especially critical during the fall and winter months, when heavier rainfall increases the amount of water to manage and fallen leaves can block water from entering catch basins. Over the past decade, thousands of volunteers have stepped up to help keep catch basins clear.
Among those volunteers are City staff members who have adopted catch basins in their own communities and share their insights on how small actions can make a meaningful difference.
The importance of clearing catch basins
When leaves, debris, snow or ice block a catch basin, stormwater has nowhere to go. This can lead to flooded streets and neighbourhoods.
With thousands of catch basins across Vancouver, volunteers play an important role in helping keep water flowing during heavy rain and snowmelt events. Taryn Scollard, Deputy GM of Engineering, has been involved in the program since its inception and, in her leadership role, has seen firsthand how quickly a blocked catch basin can become a bigger problem.
"I have been with our crews during storm response while they are trying to find the catch basins under a pile of snow to get the melt moving," says Taryn. "Clearing a basin is a small action that has instant results. You clear the plug and it's so satisfying to see the water running again."
By taking a few minutes to clear leaves, volunteers help reduce the risk of localized flooding while also preventing debris from washing into local waterways.
Catching up while caring for the community
For Christa Yeung, Planning Assistant, Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability, and Joycelyn Guan, Engineering Assistant, adopting catch basins is about more than keeping water flowing - it's also an opportunity to get some fresh air and connect with each other weekly.
Together, they adopted two catch basins near City Hall, named Basinana 1 and Basinana 2, inspired by Bananas in Pyjamas. Each week, they check in on their adopted catch basins, clearing leaves and debris while enjoying some fresh air and a chance to catch up.
"The program reminds me that anyone – with even a short bit of spare time in a day – can take part in improving our city, and it can be fun and social too," says Christa.
Their experience highlights how volunteering can strengthen community connections while supporting important City infrastructure.
A commitment to cleaner streets
For Tom Knight, Office Support Clerk, Engineering, one catch basin simply wasn't enough. Tom first became a volunteer in 2020, after noticing litter and cigarette butts along his daily commute. He started by cleaning his block and the lane behind his apartment building. Before long, he found himself regularly clearing nearby catch basins as well. "I've officially adopted five catch basins, but I probably look after about eight of them regularly," he says.
For Tom, the rewards are simple. "It makes me feel good knowing I'm doing a good deed for my neighbours. It's much nicer riding or driving by and seeing a street that's clean and free of litter and puddles. I get a bit of exercise, meet people and their dogs, and make a small difference in the neighbourhood."
Help spread the word and adopt a catch basin
Signing up to adopt a catch basin is easy, fun and the whole family can get involved. Adopters receive information and resources to help care for their catch basin and can track their actions through the program’s online map. With over 32,000 catch basins available for adoption, help us spread the word to your family and friends to adopt a catch basin:
- Visit vancouver.ca/CatchBasin
- Choose an available catch basin near your home, workplace or community space
- Give it a name and start helping keep it clear of leaves and debris
Today, nearly 8,600 catch basins have been adopted by residents who regularly clear leaves and debris to help stormwater drain properly, and alert City crews when service is needed.
Celebrate adopt a catch basin's 10th birthday with us
Whether you're already a registered volunteer or simply want to learn more, you're invited to celebrate Adopt a Catch Basin's 10th birthday party:
- Saturday, October 31 at 10:30 am at City Hall (Joe Wai Room)
Join us for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, a birthday cake and prizes. Halloween costumes are welcome. Register ahead so we know you're coming External website, opens in new tab
From leaf collection to street cleaning
While volunteer efforts help keep catch basins clear, there is much more to the City's broader fall maintenance program. After the leaves have fallen and extra leaf collection is complete, City crews begin street cleaning operations across Vancouver, removing leaves and debris left behind. This work helps prevent flooding and blocked drains, and keep roads safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Most leaves are collected using a front-end loader, while a street sweeper follows behind to remove remaining debris. Crews typically sweep each street over two consecutive days, one side at a time. When heavy leaf accumulation or parked vehicles limit access, crews may return later for an additional sweep.
Watch the video Video file to see how crews work together to keep Vancouver's streets clean and ready for the rainy season.