​​​​​​The Importance of Storm Sewer Maintenance

Preventative storm sewer maintenance helps protect the surrounding area by reducing the risk of storm sewer blockages. Blockages in a storm sewer can lead to widespread damage to the surrounding area. Preventative maintenance also helps protect the City’s stormwater drainage system from expensive repair costs in the future.

Preventative Maintenance Activities

The City’s preventative maintenance activities include:

Storm sewer flushing

Flushing a storm sewer involves using water to clear away deposited materials from the pipe's inner surfaces. Flushing is especially important for storm sewers with shallow slopes, as they tend to be less self-cleaning than pipes with steep slopes. Flushing helps to makes sure that the storm sewer can continue to transport stormwater efficiently.

Removing materials from foundation drain collectors

Foundation drains are pipes installed along a building's foundation or basement floor to manage underground water. These drains direct water away from the basements and foundation walls, often connecting to the City's storm sewer or a separate foundation drain collector system. Over time, soil, debris, and mineral deposits can build up in the drain collector system. Regularly clearing out or removing material helps maintain water flow and protects basements and foundation walls.​