Storm drain

Rynsztok

Storm drain pipe (crop)

Storm Drain

Storm Drain Dryden

Küstrin - alter Strassenablauf

StormDrainCulvert

Storm drain (also known as a storm sewer, surface water drain/sewer, or drainage system) is an infrastructure designed to drain excess rain and ground water from pavement, sidewalks, streets, and within residential areas. Most storm drainage systems carry water to nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies without treatment, which distinguishes them from sanitary sewers that are designed to transport sewage away from urban areas.

Design and Components

Storm drains vary in design from small residential dry wells to large municipal systems. They are primarily constructed using a series of pipes and drainage channels, often made from concrete, steel, or plastic. Key components include:

• Catch basins or storm drains: These are entry points where surface water is collected. They are typically located at street corners or low points.
• Pipes and culverts: Convey water from catch basins to discharge points or water treatment facilities.
• Outfalls: Points where the storm drain system discharges into a body of water.
• Detention basins: Structures designed to temporarily hold excess water during heavy rain to prevent flooding and release it slowly.

Environmental Impact

While storm drains are essential for preventing floods and managing rainwater, they can have significant environmental impacts. They can contribute to water pollution by carrying untreated runoff from roads, which may contain oil, pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants into natural water bodies. This can harm aquatic ecosystems and degrade water quality.

To mitigate these impacts, some modern storm drain systems incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) or green infrastructure elements, such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and biofiltration systems. These features are designed to treat or absorb runoff before it enters the storm drain system.

Regulation and Management

The management and regulation of storm drains are typically the responsibility of local or regional government agencies. Regulations may include requirements for construction, maintenance, and runoff water quality. In some areas, developments are required to install SUDS or similar systems to manage runoff sustainably.

Challenges

One of the main challenges facing storm drain systems is climate change, which is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events. This can overwhelm existing infrastructure, leading to increased flooding risks. Additionally, aging infrastructure and urbanization pose significant challenges, requiring upgrades or expansions to existing systems.

See Also

• Water pollution
• Urban runoff
• Flood control
• Sustainable urban drainage systems
• Green infrastructure