In Cary, as in most cities and towns in North Carolina, you’ll find storm drains and catch basins along our streets and in many yards. What most people don’t realize is that these drains lead directly to our rivers and streams, not to a wastewater treatment plant.

Consequently, pollutants such as motor oil, fertilizers, yard waste and litter find their way into our rivers, streams and oceans via these drains, often carried by rain that becomes stormwater runoff. Polluted streams impact our water resources as well as our downstream neighbors' water resources.

The Labeling Program

Storm drain labeling is a statewide coordinated effort to affix pollution prevention messaging on storm drains (catch basins and yard inlets) that lead directly to nearby creeks, streams, lakes, coastal waters and the ocean. In Cary for example, hundreds of yard inlets and catch basins empty into Kildaire Farm Lake, which flows to Swift Creek. This creek supplies drinking water to Raleigh and Garner via Lake Wheeler and Lake Benson. Swift Creek then flows into the Neuse River near Smithfield. In other parts of Cary, runoff flows through storm drains to Jordan Lake, Cary's own drinking water supply. Volunteers place labels onto residential storm drain covers to alert people that our water supply can be affected by what goes into the storm drain.

Getting Involved

Volunteers should be at least 10 years of age. Individuals may want to label drains in their neighborhood. School groups, Scouts, 4-H groups and other community organizations may want to take on a larger area. Labeling takes about 10 minutes per drain.

The Town provides supplies, directions and maps for your labeling project.

Call (919) 469-4000 or complete the online form if you see a storm drain that is damaged or clogged or observe suspicious dumping into a storm drain or stream.