Mayor Landrieu
Announces Adopt-A-Catch Basin Website
Encourages Resident
Participation in Catch Basin Maintenance
NEW
ORLEANS – Today,
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 over 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.”
To
sign up to adopt a catch basin, visit catchbasin.nola.gov. After signing up,
users will be directed to a map showing over 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. 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, October 14, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement will host the District B Catch Basin Cleaning Day at Taylor Playground (2600 S. Roman St.). Partnering with various neighborhood associations, volunteers will work 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 October 7, was postponed due to Hurricane Nate. The City will notify residents when it has been rescheduled.
Those interested in participating can click here to RSVP.
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