Motor oil, gasoline, pet waste and trash are all types of pollution that get dumped into catchbasins, especially during rainstorms. The stormwater flows into the catchbasins, carrying the pollutants.

Catchbasins are openings along the sides of streets. They are there to collect rain water. When it rains, or when snow and ice melt, water flows over the ground, carrying many pollutants gathered from streets, sidewalks, parking lots and yards.

The pollutants that don't get caught-up in the catchbasins travel with the water, through underground pipes, to land in the Neponset River or in nearby streams. 

Many people don't realize that catchbasins connect to streams and rivers. 

You can help protect the river by educating your neighborhood about catchbasins. Click here!