Storm Drains
These medallions are embedded in the cement curbs near most storm water grates throughout our Community. The inscription and image of a fish are to remind the public that the water from this system flows into streams and ponds and are not part of the sewer system.
Function
A storm drain or stormwater drain is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. Storm drains vary in design from small residential dry wells to large municipal systems. The drain gratings are fed by street gutters along roads. Most storm sewers are provided with gratings or grids to prevent large objects from falling into the sewer system. However, their bars are fairly widely spaced so that the flow of water is not impeded. Consequently, many small objects can fall through.
Many of these small objects are caught by the catchbasin, or sump, which lies immediately below the grating. Water from the top of the catchbasin drains into the sewer proper. The catchbasin serves much the same function as the “trap” in household wastewater plumbing in trapping objects.
In the United States, unlike the trap, the catchbasin does not necessarily prevent sewer gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane from escaping. However in the United Kingdom, where they are called gulley-pots, they are designed as true water-filled traps and do block the egress of gases and rodents.
Most catchbasins will contain stagnant water during the drier parts of the year and can be used by mosquitoes for breeding. The performance of catchbasins at removing sediment and other pollutants depends on the design of the catchbasin (e.g., the size of the sump), and routine maintenance to retain the storage available in the sump to capture sediment. Municipalities typically have large vacuum trucks that perform this task. It would do well for HOA’s to regularly schedule this service to keep their storm drains unclogged.
Relationship to sanitary sewer systems
Storm drains are often operated independently from sanitary sewer systems. The separation of storm sewers from sanitary sewers helps to prevent sewage treatment plants becoming overwhelmed by the huge influx of water during a rainstorm, which can result in untreated sewage being discharged into the environment. Many storm drainage systems are designed to drain the storm water, untreated, into rivers or streams. Special care must be taken to ensure the citizenry is aware of this, lest waste be dumped into the storm drain system.
STORM WATER SOLUTIONS — Silver Springs Community Subdivisions have a storm drain system, sewer system, and ditches and creeks as conduits used to collect seasonal flowing water and snow melt. CC&Rs state that each individual homeowner is responsible for their own irrigation and anything within their property lines and easements.
2009- March 24: Board meeting minutes:STORM DRAIN -Underdrain System. A major blockage now exists in the Silver
Springs community’s underdrain [storm drain] system and the water table is seasonably rising. Although peak flow at the main outflow opening this time of year was reported as 1500 gallons per minute when the system was originally developed, sump pumps at two outflow chambers currently count 40 and 30 gallons a minute respectively and the main outflow opening is now discharging about 60 gallons per minute. This indicates, he said, a blockage, which seems to exist about 10 feet in from the outlet which is causing the groundwater table to rise upgradient
from the blockage.A contractor has estimated cost for correcting the problem at between $3,400 and $4,000. He said it is impossible to restore the entire system. Treasurer Chris Butler asked if the situation could be corrected by “roto-rooting.” Board member Bill Noland (who has studied the underdrain situation) said that won’t work. Following a general discussion about the system, its potential and current condition, Mr. Noland moved that the repair expenditure be approved. Chris Butler seconded the motion following discussion as to possible precedent involved.
Repair financing such as proposed for the present situation could be considered no more than “community service,” adding he didn’t see how the association could avoid eventually assuming responsibility for the entire system, which could be construed, in any event, as preserving homeownership values for every association member. Mr. Noland, saying he did not necessarily agree, added that, if the issue landed in court, after repairs had been done on an individual basis (”community service”), a judge would likely look at the total circumstances, assigning the association responsibility for the system. Delaying repairs, he contended, could
result in declaring negligence as well as costs. And since, he continued, the association lacks insurance coverage for the system’s possible damage, costs could be assessed against “everyone.”
Lynn Cier, who is the HOA’s non-board member paid bookkeeper, asked if the leakage problems could be handled “by quadrant.” To which Mr. Noland said that would be “pro-active” and being pro-active could reduce exposure to a charge of negligence. Gunter said the system is actually “pretty clean” and that minimal maintenance could work. Making something like that an annually budgeted item was discussed.Board member James Larson asked if the currently contemplated repair work needed bids. Gunter said action was required more quickly than that would take. Mr. Noland described the contractor’s plan and accepting it passed on a unanimous board vote. Skip Dominick, a former SSSFHOA president, said previous boards always considered such repair work on the system “a good neighbor” project. After Mr. Noland suggested creating a standing underdrain committee, Chris Butler moved doing so, seconded by James Larson. The motion passed unanimously. [An underdrain committee already existed, having been formed last summer, with Noland as chairman.]
2009- April 24 - Board meeting minutes:Storm Drain/Underdrain System. - Bill N reported that the upper [storm drain] system has been successfully roto-rooted, cleaned and is flowing smoothly. Repairs to the 10 inch outflow pipe into Willow Creek will be delayed until the water table subsides. There remains at least one obstruction that may need to be excavated and repaired this year. The lower [storm drain] system is still relatively unexplored, but the recent groundwater survey results indicate there are some potential problem areas along East Meadows between Silver Springs Road and Fletcher Court. The possible obstruction in the lower [storm drain] system needs to be examined this summer/fall when water levels are lowest.Ground Water Survey
Bill N presented the ground water survey results. Approximately 100 responses were received. The survey confirmed some known trouble spots and also created some watch areas that may need to be addressed in the future.
2009, May 27 - Board meeting minutes:Storm Drain/Underdrain Committee – There were no volunteers for this committee. Currently the committee consists of Bill N and Bill G. An underdrain sight-seeing tour will be held Saturday, May 30th at 11:00am for Board members to learn more about the problem areas of the underdrain system.Storm Drain/Underdrain System - Willow Creek is running at it highest level for 2009. No significant back-ups have been found or reported since the last Board meeting. Skip Dominick is having some back-up but it was reported that the level of back-up is nowhere near last year’s levels. Maintenance of the system will be scheduled for October when water levels are the lowest. Currently scheduled maintenance projects include repairing the main outlet near Willow Creek and possibly excavating a portion the system between Willow Loop and East Meadows Drive where an apparent obstruction is causing an up gradient backup.
A discussion took place about whether the SSHOA should pay for private party issues. For example, if the underdrain committee recommends removing trees in certain areas to protect the integrity of underdrain system and the homeowner refuses – how should this be handled? Can the homeowner pay for yearly maintenance of the line in their yard and keep the trees? The Board agreed that this should be a general membership decision.