Vancouver student keeps catch basins clear during heavy rain

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With heavy rain this weekend, causing flooding on some of Vancouver’s streets, a local high school student is working to keep roads and paths safe.

Grade 12 student Hailey Chen, who’s a part of the city’s Adopt a Catch Basin program says the premise is simple: you take on a handful of catch basins around your neighbourhood and keep them clear of leaves and debris so water can safely drain off the roadways.

“Honestly, it seems so minuscule, just cleaning out a catch basin, but I think it really does make a difference,” she said. “Even the simple act of just spending five minutes to clear up your catch basin like right outside your home like that I think makes leaps and bounds and like keeping your community more safe.”

Related Articles:

• Heavy rainfall expected for Lower Mainland through weekend

• North Van firefighters share tips for staying safe in the wet weather this weekend

• BC Ferries anticipates busy, windy weekend, adds late-night sailing

Chen is one of 1,500 adopters of a catch basin in Vancouver, but there are about 41,000 across the entire city. According to the city, adopters also ensure garbage and other pollutants don’t end up in waterways, which are often habitats for species like salmon.

Chen says it creates a great sense of community when volunteers are out keeping theirs clear.

“Trying to encourage people to adopt a catch basin or two, and get out into the community and do their part keeping the roads safe and clean,” she said. “It’s also like a really great way to spend some time with a friend or a family member.”

It’s the fifth year the Adopt a Catch Basin program has been running, which is modelled off similar initiatives seen in Oakland and San Francisco, California.

“Sometimes I see one of my neighbors cleaning out their catch basin, and then I do mine, so it’s pretty funny,” she said. “But it’s a really great way to build communities. When you look at the map and see what each person is named their catch basin, and people of all ages to help out.”