Only Rain Down the Drain

Photograph of a storm drain in Kansas City, Kansas

The warm seasons in Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, can bring fast-changing weather patterns. A storm can move in and start pouring down rain in a matter of hours.

Without stormwater management, this rain can flood our streets, homes, and businesses. That is why Public Works' Water Pollution Control and Stormwater Management teams work hard to maintain 335 miles of stormwater pipes and nearly 13,000 storm drains, all of which carry that water to our rivers and streams.

There are ways you can help! Check out these actions that can help prevent backups and overflows in your area:

Check the storm drains near you
Trash left on the ground is often picked up by stormwater runoff and carried to storm drains that can then become blocked. If you see a drain in your area clogged with trash or other debris, clean it out and move it away from the drain if it is safe. If it becomes too much to handle on your own, dial (913) 573-1300 and ask to speak with Environmental Service's Stormwater Management professionals.

Do not litter
Put all trash in a wastebasket, trash can, or dumpster. Do not dump trash or trash bags into storm drains, rivers, or streams. Additionally, picking up loose litter and trash found in our streets and yards can prevent that same garbage from clogging storm drains and making its way to our streams and rivers.

Check your lawn care routine
Leave grass clippings and leaves in place, do not put them down storm drains. If you must remove grass, leaves, branches, or garden clippings from your yard, you can drop them off at the Unified Government’s Recycling & Yard Waste Center.

View of Download the Clogged Drain Prevention Flyer

You can help prevent clogged stormwater drains. Share this information with your friends and neighbors by downloading the On Rain in the Storm Drain flyer(PDF, 328KB).

Explore the Stormwater Quality Program

Stormwater runoff is directed into storm drains that flow directly into local streams, rivers, and lakes, carrying pollutants from the ground and hard surfaces. These pollutants include oil and grease, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, trash, and soil. The pollutants degrade the water quality and are harmful to wildlife.

Learn more about protecting yourself, your property, and your community on the Stormwater Quality Information webpage.

Explore Environmental Services

At Environmental Services, our business is to protect the public health of Kansas City, Kansas residents and to safeguard the environment through wastewater and stormwater management. Our customers have benefited from reliable, cost-effective wastewater and stormwater services for more than 100 years. To ensure the quality, we continually invest in the system.

Learn more about the Environmental Services team on their webpage.

Explore Public Works

Public Works is responsible for the management, maintenance, and enhancement of critical infrastructure in Kansas City, Kansas. Learn more about the work they do on the Public Works webpage.