FAQs

Catch basins are the main access point for storm water to get into the underground pipe system. The metal grates that are visible at the edge of the road are only a part of the catch basin structure. Under the sidewalk there is a barrel that collects water that is attached to a pipe that water flows away in.

Swales are shallow ditches that convey water to larger drainage infrastructure such as storm sewers or drainage channels. Swales can either be grass of concrete and exist in both residential and commercial/industrial areas. While swales are often easily identifiable, some designs may hide the swales by creating a natural low point on a property which conveys the water away from important infrastructure and towards storm infrastructure.

An engineered area designed to retain or hold water during storm or snow melt events and allows water to flow into the receiving water bodies at a more natural rate. Can be either normally wet (referred to as a wet pond) or normally dry (dry pond).

Manholes are the points where crews gain access to the storm system to perform maintenance such as cleaning or are located at bends or intersections of the piping system.

They are concrete or plastic structures which hold water underground until there is room within the storm system to convey the water towards the outfalls downstream. The chambers are utilized in areas where storm ponds are not able to manage the flow of water or where storm ponds are not physically able to be installed due to space constraints.

They are practices used to help reduce the impact of development on the downstream environment.

Impervious areas prevent natural infiltration or flow of water into the soil. Examples include driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, roofs, decks, patios balconies, artificial turf and any concrete, stone, brick, asphalt or compacted gravel surfaces.

Ponding is pooling of water that typically occurs after a rain or snow melt event.