A storm sewer is a type of infrastructure that is designed to drain excess water from manmade surfaces such as car parks, paved streets, sidewalks, and others. These sewers are connected via a network of underground pipes that transport the stormwater into lakes, streams, and rivers.
It may be easy to confuse storm sewers with sanitary sewers in homes and offices. However, a sanitary sewer carries water in your home to a wastewater treatment plant. This is in stark contrast with storm sewers that discharge untreated water into water bodies.
In other words, everything that goes into a storm sewer is dumped into our waterways. This is a key reason why people are advised not to dump garbage and other hazardous substances into storm sewers. These pollutants, when they end up in rivers, can have harmful effects on wildlife and water quality.
With that said, here are some of the most important benefits of storm sewers in Arizona.
Prevention of Flood
Urbanization has led to the development of many impervious surfaces, such as sidewalks and parking lots. These surfaces are unable to excess water due left over by a storm or rain. Instead, the water pools and creates the perfect conditions for pollution.
This is where storm sewers come in. They divert stormwater away from homes and office spaces, discharging them into water bodies instead.
Protecting the Public
Excess stormwater can pick up chemicals, pollutants, debris, and other toxins along the way that can create problems for the public. Things can get worse if the stormwater mixes up with raw sewage. This can lead to devastating health problems that could cause loss of life.
For this reason, it is imperative for the city to employ storm sewers to flush out the excess water and prevent it from causing damage to the local infrastructure.
Reuse the Collected Water
Some storm sewers can be equipped with technology to filter out the water. As such, the water collected through sewers can be reused for other purposes, such as putting out fires and maintaining hygiene.
Keep the Local Flora and Fauna Safe
Although we’re told that water is important for plants, excess water can lead to root rot and outright kill plants. This means that the overflow of water is not good for the health of plants. Storm sewers can play an important role by redirecting the water away from plants and animals to the water bodies such as rivers and lakes.
Reduce the Damage Done to the Infrastructure
When excess water from storms and rains is not redirected away from structures such as basements, cars, and plumbing systems., it can cause severe damage over time. Existing drainage infrastructure, such as pipe and wastewater, may not be effective at limiting the amount of stormwater.
Specially designed storm sewers can be used to drain out the excess water and prevent it from damaging the local prosperity.
Minimize Soil Erosion
The soil can get muddy and eroded when stormwater is not redirected to a storm sewer. Soil erosion can damage plants, their root systems, and the local ecosystem. Subsequently, it also contributes to more mud and can hurt the surrounding area.
Things that Can Clog Storm Sewers
It is common for storm sewers to get clogged from leaves, twigs, sand, dirt, and others. If they are not removed, the storm sewer may be unable to drain water. If this occurs, the stormwater will flood the area because it doesn’t have a path down the drain.
Storm sewers may also get clogged if large objects are dumped into the drainage system. Over time, this may cause drain water to pool and cause flooding, especially during heavy downpours.
It doesn’t help that garbage, such as aluminum cans, food containers, plastic bottles, and other waste materials, can also clog storm sewers. Most of these items are not biodegradable and accumulate in the sewer over time.
It is also possible for tree roots to make their way around storm sewers and clog them. You would be surprised to learn just how quickly tree roots can spread once they have access to water. Some tree roots can grow so massive that they end up blocking the entire drainage system, requiring manual removal that costs tons of money to taxpayers.
You Can Play a part in Keeping Storm Sewers Clean
We all have a part to play in keeping storm sewers clean of trash and other waste. Here are a few things you can do to keep our drainage systems in Arizona clean:
- Always cover recycling bins with a lid
- Remove any garbage that you find on the side of the road near your home or office
- Volunteer with local groups to clean trash with other people
- Don’t leave pet waste lying around because it can spread harmful bacteria
- Don’t pour fluids such as oil and antifreeze into storm sewers
Storm sewers require regular preventive maintenance, just like any other plumbing system. A professional team needs:
- Inspect the storm sewer for debris and clear them if necessary
- Repair or replace a cover if it has broken or come off
- Install screen covers to keep pollutants such as leaves and clogs out
Most cities will take care of storm sewer maintenance. However, you, too, can play a part by making sure that the storm sewers next to your home aren't clogged with trash. You can pick up debris, such as branches and leaves, that accumulate to keep the sewers clean. If you notice that a task is too much for you to handle, call the waste management office to notify them of the problem.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, some of the many reasons why storm sewers are so important. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of storm sewers. This is why whenever you're working on a new construction project, you should only hire professionals who include stormwater management in their designs and planning.
If you would like to learn more about storm sewers and how they can preserve our infrastructure, contact Mesa Plumbing Company today!