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
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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
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