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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2014-06-27 Blocked Storm Drain Inlets Town of Leesburg News Release For Immediate Release Blocked Storm Drain Inlets Cause Localized Flooding Residents cautioned about disposing of trash, yard waste or other items in storm drains and urged to report any blocked inlets. Leesburg, VA (June 27, 2014) – Earlier this month, a thunderstorm dropped a significant amount of rain on Leesburg in a very short period of time. Unfortunately, due to blocked storm drain inlets along the Route 7/15 Bypass, a section of the Bypass flooded and evening rush hour traffic was snarled for more than four hours. The Town’s storm sewer system is designed to carry rainwater rapidly away from streets and structures through a series of underground pipes. Rainwater enters the storm sewer through storm drain inlets, either at the curb or adjacent to the roadway. Storm sewer inlets are often located in parking lots and drainage easements as well. If these inlets are blocked, the rainwater backs up, causing localized flooding, as it did on Thursday, June 12, 2014. Storm drains are intended to collect only rainwater, but often people use them to dispose of other items including trash, pet waste, grass clippings and more. Since the storm sewer pipes are not designed to carry such debris, this material can get lodged in the inlets and pipes, preventing the stormwater from flowing freely. Town of Leesburg staff monitors storm sewer inlets and outfalls for debris and sediment build- up on a routine basis. However, the Town’s storm sewer system includes thousands of storm drain inlets and blockages can develop quickly. If you notice a storm drain inlet that is visibly (more) Flooded Leesburg street in May 2014, due to a blocked storm drain inlet (visible under water in center of photo). TOL PR 2014-06-26 Blocked Storm Drain Inlets Page 2 blocked, that does not drain easily during a rainstorm, or that causes water to pond on the street or in yards, please contact the Leesburg Public Works Department at 703-771-2790 or publicworks@leesburgva.gov to report its location. Contact: Betsy Fields Research & Communications Manager bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734 # # #