Storm Drains Beg for Attention

by Rory McGregor

The aftermath of the mid-October nor'easter lives on if you can't find storm drains that used to be easily visible in your Sharon neighborhood.  The photo below shows Rte 27 near the train station where debris has smothered the storm drain along a busy curve in the road.  A flat shovel was used to loosen up the mix of pine needles, leaves, dirt and trash so that it could be scooped into the barrel.  Raking the residual material onto the shovel cleaned up the drain so that it was ready for its primary purpose of moving rainwater off the road surface and into a drainage system that feeds Beaver Brook.

Disposal of the debris took place in a nearby wooded area.   Had contaminated materials been detected (motor oil, for example), bagging the debris for disposal in weekly trash pickup would have taken place.  Separating out cans, bottles, drink cups before disposal is always a good idea; these items should be recycled.

Join with Sustainable Sharon Coalition and Neponset River Watershed Association to become a responsible citizen by taking care of the storm drains near you.  Sharon DPW will be thankful that you are helping keep Sharon safe and beautiful.