Every rainstorm starts on someone’s property.
It might land on your roof.
Your neighbor’s driveway.
A construction site.
A city street.
Before long, all of that water ends up in the same stormwater system.
That’s why protecting it is everyone’s job.
What Storm Drains Are Designed to Do
Storm drains are part of the stormwater system that helps move rainwater away from streets and developed areas to reduce flooding.
Storm drains are designed to move water—not to clean it.
Unlike wastewater systems, stormwater is not typically treated before it enters local waterways.
That means storm drains are focused on one main job:
Move stormwater safely and efficiently during rain events.
To do that, the system relies on inlets, pipes, culverts, and ditches that must stay open and functional.
The City’s Role
The City maintains thousands of storm drains, miles of pipe, drainage ditches, channels, detention ponds, and other infrastructure.
But City crews can’t stop leaves from blowing into a gutter, prevent someone from washing dirt into the street, or keep every construction site from eroding.
That’s where everyone else comes in.
The Role of Developers and Construction Sites
When land is being developed or disturbed, soil is more likely to wash away during rain.
That’s why construction sites are required to manage erosion and sediment.
This includes:
- Controlling runoff from exposed soil
- Preventing sediment from entering storm drains
- Using protective measures like silt fencing or stabilization practices
- Following stormwater permit requirements during construction
Without these protections, sediment can quickly enter the stormwater system and reduce its capacity.
Your Role
Every property contributes runoff when it rains.
That means every property owner has an opportunity to help.
You can:
- Keep leaves and grass clippings out of the street.
- Prevent soil and mulch from washing away.
- Pick up pet waste.
- Sweep instead of hosing driveways.
- Report blocked storm drains.
- Reduce runoff with native plants or rain gardens.
Those small actions protect the same stormwater system your neighbors depend on.
Why This Shared Responsibility Matters
If debris, sediment, oil, fertilizers, pet waste, or litter enter the system, they can:
- Reduce drainage capacity
- Increase localized flooding
- Affect water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams
- Increase maintenance needs for public infrastructure
No single department or group can prevent this alone. It requires cooperation across the entire community.
Why It Matters for Grand Island
Grand Island’s stormwater system connects neighborhoods, parks, ditches, lakes, and waterways that eventually flow toward the Platte River and local groundwater systems.
That means what happens on the ground in one area can affect water quality and drainage conditions throughout the community.
Understanding who is responsible for storm drains helps everyone see their role in keeping the system working properly.
What You Can Do
You don’t need specialized training to help protect storm drains.
Simple actions make a difference:
- Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing debris into the street
- Keep leaves and yard waste out of gutters and inlets
- Properly dispose of trash and pet waste
- Report blocked or damaged storm drains to Public Works
- Be mindful of runoff during yard work and home projects
Small steps across many properties help keep the entire system functioning.
Why It Matters
Every rainstorm is a community effort.
City crews maintain the infrastructure. Developers keep sediment on construction sites. Businesses manage their properties. Homeowners clear leaves, prevent pollution, and reduce runoff.
Each role is small on its own.
Together, they help keep neighborhoods drier, waterways cleaner, and stormwater systems working the way they were designed.
The next time it rains, remember this:
Every drop starts somewhere.
So does every solution.
Our Water. Our Responsibility.