For a while now Vancouverites have been able to "adopt" catch basins around the city.
The grated drains provide an escape route for rainwater that has fallen in the city and is trying to return to the sea.
However, leaves can cause a literal barrier, along with other items, like face masks, trash, and more.
The Adopt-a-cach basin program is a volunteer system the city has created so that someone living near the basin is responsible for going and clearing the grate every so often, allowing the water to flow freely. There are available ones and "needy" ones that are particularly prone to flooding.
Those who adopt a catch basin get two things. A certificate certifying the person as the adopter of a catch basin and the opportunity to name the basin.
Most don't get particularly interesting names, but a local TikTok user @pocketmachine found a few amazing examples, including Leaf Me Alone, Cloggy McCloggerson, and Leafer Sutherland.
V.I.A. investigated and found many basins have fun names, including areas with several basins named after French food, famous animated chipmunks, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and Splinter).
Other highlights (with the West End well represented) include:
- Dr. Dre'n
- Pinky and the Drain
- Forrest Sump
- Purple Drain
- Basin Derulo
- Durain Durain
- Dwight K. Schute
- Don't Stop Be-leaf-ing
- Grate Expectations
- Smeltzerbergs' snazzy catch basin
- The Perpetual Stormyday
- Mr. Drainalufugas
- McLeafy and McDrainy (across the street from each other)
- Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All
- Also A Pretty Cool Catch Basin
- Thirsty Boi
@pocketmachine Everybody is so creative! #vancouver #greenscreen #catchbasin #bcstorm ♬ original sound - hannah
