Want to protect waterways? Adopt a stream

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There are more than 3,000 miles of streams and creeks in Mecklenburg County.

Since the storm water goes directly into our creeks and streams, it’s important to keep the waterways as clean as possible.

The Adopt-A-Stream program encourages people to volunteer their time and help clean up the creeks and streams. The commitment is four to eight hours a year.

Your organization can volunteer or even people in your neighborhood can get together to form a group. The supplies are given to you, which include gloves and trash bags.

Erin Oliverio, water quality educator with Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, says volunteers find a lot of plastic bags and soda cans during the creek clean up. Larger items like tires and couches have also been found in the creeks and streams.

Right now, only 100 miles of water have been adopted. If you would like to take part in the Adopt-A-Stream program, call 311.

For more information, visit our StormCenter Water Wise partners at http://wcnc.envirocast.net/index.php?pagename=header_Partners.