“What is the storm drainage system?
It’s a network of structures, channels and underground pipes that carry stormwater (rain water) to ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. The network consists of both public and private systems.
It’s an integral part of the system in the county that is designed to control the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of storm runoff. It’s not part of the which carries water and waste from drains (sinks, bathtubs, showers, etc.) and toilets to a treatment plant to be treated and filtered.
Stormwater does not flow to a treatment plant.
Where can I see the public system?
You can see the above ground parts of the system, including:
• roadside ditches
• channels: grass, concrete, stone (rip-rap) and some asphalt
• pipe outfalls (pipe openings)
Who maintains the drainage system?
The county maintains the public storm drainage system contained within dedicated storm drainage easements. The Department of Transportation maintains the storm systems in public street rights-of-way.
Storm systems on land owned by other public bodies such as Park Authority, County Public Schools and the federal government are maintained by those entities. There are also numerous private systems that are the responsibility of private property owners, including driveway culverts and bridges that cross public drainage systems.
Who maintains the easement?
The county is responsible for maintaining the public drainage system and structures within the storm drainage easement to allow for proper function of the system. Property owners are responsible for:
• routine grounds maintenance such as grass mowing and trash/debris removal - owners should ensure that systems and structures are kept free of yard waste (grass clippings, tree trimmings, leaves) or other obstructions that may block the flow of water;
• trees, shrubs and other growth within easements;
• driveways and their associated culverts or bridges;
• fences, which are allowed in easements as long as they do not block the flow of storm drainage.
What can I do to help?
• Keep storm drains free of litter and debris. Do not rake or dump grass clippings or leaves into the storm drainage system.
• Keep the area easily accessible in case repairs or maintenance are necessary.
• Do not place sheds or other permanent structures in the easement or on top of drainage structures.
• Apply pesticides and fertilizers several days before rain is forecast; if applied right before a rain, most of it will just wash off and end up in a storm drain. Also consider reducing the number of applications.
• Never dump pet waste, used motor oil, paint, chemicals or other substances into a storm drain.
• Swimming pools should never be drained into storm drains without properly treating the water first.” (Fairfax County Virginia).
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