Stormwater drainage is the process of draining excess water from streets, sidewalks, roofs, buildings and other areas. Using a system of stormwater filters, stormwater runoff flows into a storm drain usually located on sidewalks or along the edges of streets or paths. These stormwater drainage basins are sometimes confused as sanitation sewers, but it is worth noting that stormwater drainage functions independently from sewer and sanitation drains.
When it rains, snows or sleets, stormwater inlets collect water. While some of this precipitation is absorbed into the ground, but without proper stormwater management excess water could collect in roads and on grounds causing dangers to humans, animals and buildings or structures. Standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit these diseases. Stailment water can be dangerous for drinking because it provides a better incubator than running water for many kinds of bacteria and parasites. Animals who may drink stagant water can get sick or even die.
Because of these dangers, stormwater management systems help keep excess water flowing through underground pipes and out into proper drainage locations such as lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. In some cases, they may drain into a canal or ocean instead. However, stormwater drainage isn’t perfect and often times pollutants and toxic substances, such as lawn fertilizers, cigarette butts, motor oil, pesticides, and other chemicals cycle through stormwater drainage systems.
Some communities concerned with stormwater treatment have fitted their storm drainage systems with with catch basin inserts, which are designed to trap hydrocarbons and other contaminants such as metals, sand, silt, trash, and debris from stormwater runoff. They are easy to install in new and existing drop and curb inlets and can help cut down on the amount pollution.
A city or town should have carefully planned stormwater drainage systems that use inlets, outlets and pipes, as well as catch basin insterts. These measures can ensure proper water drainage, while trapping large items as well as small particle toxins.