Which Drains Get Claimed? Adopt‐a‐Drain Programs in Three US Cities

Abstract

Key Takeaways Adopt‐a‐Drain is a popular and growing program aimed at improving stormwater system performance and engaging the public to participate in water management. Drain adoption in Houston, Seattle, and Virginia Beach is unrelated to flood risk but strongly correlated with demographic and socioeconomic factors. Utilities’ public engagement and education programs should include outreach to high‐risk, low‐socioeconomic‐status, and/or demographically diverse neighborhoods.

Disambiguating Concepts of Fairness in Stormwater Management: A Review of Economic Efficiency and Equity

“…They suggested that their findings might be related to the type of housing, which may be further related to socioeconomic and demographic variables. Saywitz and Teodoro (2021) studied factors related to adopt-a-drain participation in Houston, Virginia Beach, and Seattle, and found that demographic variables were generally more predictive of participation than flood risk. A study in Melbourne comparing coastal municipalities found that those with 50% or more natural vegetation tended to have a stronger commitment to Water Sensitive Urban Design (Morison & Brown, 2011).…”