Sept. 16, 2026
The Brevard Sustainability Council is teaming up with regional nonprofit RiverLink to create a new volunteer program where Brevard residents may adopt storm drains to reduce pollution.
Stormwater is rain or snow melt that runs off hard (impervious) surfaces such as parking lots, roads and roofs. Stormwater runoff is the largest source of local pollution to streams and rivers because when storm drains are not routinely cleaned, they accumulate large amounts of debris and pollutants. This often leads to clogging, street flooding, erosion and a decline in water quality — all of which directly affect safety and the health of aquatic ecosystems as the contents of storm drains are piped untreated, directly into the nearest stream.
Sponsored by the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority, the first 50 volunteers will receive their own safety vest and litter grabber to use while caring for their drain, according to a news release.
The program is open to anyone who is able to check in on a storm drain twice a month; this could be individuals, classes, clubs or businesses.
Visit sustainbrevard.org/adoptastormdrain (or search for Adopt-a-Storm Drain Sustain Brevard) to select a nearby drain or a high-priority drain that often clogs.
Based in Asheville, RiverLink has partnered with the upstream community of Brevard to help fulfill their mission of promoting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all. Additional grant funding for this program was provided by Enbridge Gas NC.