Every year on March 22, people around the world mark World Water Day, a time to think about clean water and the many ways we depend on it. In Greater Boston, water is part of daily life. Rivers wind through neighborhoods, ponds anchor city parks, and the harbor shapes the city’s history and economy.
Protecting local water might sound like a job for scientists and engineers, and they certainly play a big role. But some of the most important protection happens right outside our front doors: in storm drains, gutters, driveways, and backyards. This guide explains how everyday actions affect local waterways and what households can do to help.
How Water Travels From Your Street to the River
When rain falls or snow melts, water flows over roofs, sidewalks, streets, and lawns. Along the way, it picks up whatever is there: litter, oil, pet waste, fertilizer, salt, and sediment. Much of that water flows into storm drains at the curb.
In many places, storm drains carry water directly to nearby rivers, streams, ponds, or the harbor, often without treatment. That means a cigarette butt dropped on the sidewalk or oil leaking from a car can end up in the same water where fish swim and people kayak.
Some older parts of cities have combined systems where stormwater and sewage share pipes. During heavy rain, these systems can overflow into waterways. Reducing how much runoff reaches the drains helps in either case.
Spring Is a Key Time
Early spring brings melting snow, heavy rain, and a winter’s worth of buildup on streets. Sand, salt, leaves, and litter wash toward drains all at once. That makes March and April especially important for keeping drains clear and reducing pollution at the source.
Simple Household Actions
Small changes at home add up across a neighborhood. Here are practical steps anyone can take:
- Pick up pet waste. Bag it and put it in the trash. Pet waste carries bacteria that can wash into waterways.
- Keep litter out of drains. Never sweep or dump trash, leaves, or grass clippings into the street or storm drains.
- Use salt sparingly. In winter, use only as much de-icer as needed, and sweep up extra once the ice melts.
- Fix car leaks. Oil and fluid drips wash into drains. Use a drip pan and get leaks repaired.
- Wash cars wisely. Use a commercial car wash that treats water, or wash on grass where water can soak in.
- Skip or limit fertilizer. If you fertilize, follow label instructions and never apply before heavy rain.
- Dispose of chemicals properly. Never pour paint, oil, or chemicals down any drain. Use household hazardous waste programs.
Let Water Soak In
One of the best ways to protect waterways is to help rainwater soak into the ground instead of running off. Ideas for homes and yards:
- Point downspouts toward lawns or garden beds instead of driveways, while keeping water away from foundations.
- Use a rain barrel to collect roof water for watering plants, where allowed.
- Plant native plants, which often have deep roots that help absorb water.
- Replace small areas of pavement with gravel, pavers, or plants, if possible.
- Consider a small rain garden in a low spot where water naturally collects.
Caring for Storm Drains Near You
Storm drains can clog with leaves, trash, and sand, causing flooding on streets and sidewalks. Neighbors can help keep them clear:
- Wear gloves and use a rake or broom.
- Clear debris from the top of the grate only. Never remove the grate or reach inside.
- Bag debris and throw it away, or follow your town’s yard waste rules for leaves.
- Stay out of traffic. Only work on drains you can reach safely from the curb.
- Report blocked, damaged, or overflowing drains through 311 or public works.
Some communities have programs where residents adopt a nearby storm drain and keep an eye on it through the seasons.
Protecting Rivers and Ponds in Your Neighborhood
If you live near a river, pond, or harbor, you can help in more direct ways:
- Pick up litter along paths and shorelines when it is safe.
- Stay on marked trails to protect plants that hold riverbanks in place.
- Do not feed ducks or geese, which can harm their health and water quality.
- Report illegal dumping, unusual discharges, or strong odors to your city or state environmental agency.
- Follow posted water quality advisories before swimming, boating, or fishing.
Water at Home: Saving and Respecting It
World Water Day is also a good reminder to think about how we use water indoors:
- Fix dripping faucets and running toilets.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
- Keep a reusable water bottle handy instead of buying bottled water.
- Do not flush wipes, medications, or grease, which can clog pipes and harm water treatment.
Learning Together
Water is a great topic for families and community groups. Activities could include:
- Walking the block and finding every storm drain
- Following a local stream or river on a map to see where it ends up
- Visiting a riverside park and noticing wildlife
- Reading library books about the water cycle
- Making a simple poster reminding neighbors that drains lead to rivers
World Water Day Checklist
- Pick up pet waste and litter.
- Keep leaves and debris out of storm drains.
- Fix car leaks and dispose of chemicals properly.
- Help rain soak into the ground.
- Clear the tops of nearby drains safely and report problems.
- Save water indoors.
Quick check: Where does water that flows into many street storm drains end up?
- Always at a treatment plant first
- Often directly in nearby rivers, ponds, or the harbor
- In underground tanks that are emptied each year
Show answer
B. Many storm drains carry runoff straight to local waterways, so keeping litter and pollutants out of them protects the water.
