Stormwater Maintenance

Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Regular maintenance of the Town's stormwater system is an important part of our overall storm water management program. Over time, the stormwater system will collect sediment and debris from storm water flows. If this material is not removed on a regular basis, it will eventually end up in our streams and lakes.

It is also important to regularly inspect the system to ensure that it is in proper working order and performing the function for which it was intended. Public Works crews perform regular inspections of the system, gathering important information such as the overall structural condition, pipe sizes, depths, construction materials, cleanliness, and any other information that would be considered useful for the overall management of the system.

These inspections also provide an opportunity to detect possible illegal discharges to the system that may pose a threat to water quality, and that may also be a violation of the Town's Stormwater Ordinance.

Town employees performing repairs on a catch basin in a Colchester neighborhood.

Street Sweeping

Much of the sediment that finds its way into the stormwater system comes from sand that is applied to the Town roads during winter snow and ice removal. To ensure the public's safety during the winter months, application of this material is necessary. However, from a stormwater perspective, it can be harmful.

To prevent these materials from entering into the stormwater system, the Public Works Department sweeps the Town's roadways twice a year. The first sweeping begins as early as possible in the spring while most of the sand is still on the roadway.

It is also necessary to clean each of the stormwater drains to remove any accumulated sediment and debris. Most of these structures were constructed with a sump that provides a space inside the structure for solids to settle instead of flowing to the discharge point. For many years, all new stormwater structures have been required to incorporate this feature.