NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced the city’s first-ever Adopt-A-Catch Basin website.
Managed by the city’s Information Technology and Innovation (ITI) Department, the website will allow residents to help the city clean and maintain more than 65,000 catch basins. Residents adopting catch basins will be responsible for keeping them clear of debris and litter at the entrances of catch basins. This will reduce the likelihood of street flooding during storm events.
“With over 65,000 catch basins, proper maintenance requires partnership with the people of New Orleans and I am thankful for the residents who continue to step up to make our city stronger,” said Mayor Landrieu. “The new Adopt-A-Catch Basin website is the city’s latest example of our innovative methods to engage residents in our efforts to make New Orleans the city we have always dreamed of.”
When users sign up to adopt a catch basin, they will be directed to a map showing more than 65,000 catch basins across New Orleans. Residents can either put in an address or look around the map to find a catch basin to adopt. After selecting an available catch basin denoted by a green symbol, residents will name the newly adopted catch basin. Residents will then be prompted to select the status of the adopted catch basin. If the catch basin is broken, select “It Doesn’t Drain” to inform the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) of the issue.
If a catch basin is not found on the map, users can click on the space where the catch basin is known to be located.
Prior and following major rain events, residents will receive preparedness messages from the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) reminding residents of proper catch basin maintenance. Additionally, residents should expect to receive messages after an extended period of inactivity on the webpage.
Acting Chief Information Officer Kimberly W. LaGrue said, “With the help of our partners, we are excited to launch a tool that helps encourage New Orleanians to adopt the catch basins in their neighborhoods. This new technology takes the city's civic engagement to the next level as it allows us to hear from residents in an innovative way, better track work, and improve our service.”
DPW Interim Director Dani Galloway said, “We are grateful for the help of residents in clearing and cleaning catch basins. While we unclog and repair drains, the residents play a major part by ensuring that the catch basins are kept clear of debris to prevent flooding in our streets."
DPW is spending a total of $22 million on catch basin cleanings and repairs and is expected to clean 15,000 drains in 120 days, city reps said. While the City will unclog and repair drains, it is important for residents to keep catch basins clear of trash and debris to prevent further issues.
NOHSEP Director Aaron Miller said, "We encourage all residents to adopt the catch basins near their homes. Working together as a city is how we will ensure that New Orleans is as prepared as possible.”
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement hosted the District B Catch Basin Cleaning Day at Taylor Playground (2600 S. Roman St.). Partnering with various neighborhood associations, volunteers worked together to clear vegetation and debris from around catch basins in their respective neighborhoods. Catch basin cleaning days will take place in a different council district every Saturday in October.
The District C catch basin cleaning day, originally scheduled for Oct. 7, was postponed due to Hurricane Nate. The city will notify residents when it has been rescheduled.
Those interested in participating can click here
