Does Stormwater Go Into the Sewer?

Professionals Explain the Process

When the skies open up, they can deposit considerable amounts of moisture across the region. As this water flows through drains and gutters, it makes its way down the road, but to where? It’s a common question with a couple of possible answers.

At iSTORMWATER, our team is always ready to give you the answers you need to these questions and more.

Contact iSTORMWATER at (410) 231-3455 to speak with our specialists about the needs of your business in Maryland, Virginia, or DC.

Where Does Stormwater Go?

Unlike the water from your sinks, showers, and toilets, stormwater may or may not go into the sanitary sewer system, where it’s treated, cleaned, and released into the regional water supply. In some cases, the stormwater goes directly into a water body, i.e., a lake, river, or catch basin.

Catch basins are designed to trap and remove contaminants from stormwater runoff before they pollute waterways. Catch basins are lined with various media filters engineered to remove sediment, oil, grease, and other contamination. This process is vital because these toxins can cause significant damage to the local ecosystem. Should this water enter the water supply untreated, it can cause extensive damage to fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life, birds, mammals, and more.

Stormwater vs. Wastewater

Water from your roof drain, foundation drain, and catch basin is deposited into the stormwater sewer or directly into rivers, lakes, or streams. Wastewater has a much more complicated path as it must be treated to remove a wide range of chemical and biological contamination, including oil, pesticides, fertilizer, heavy metals, etc.

As such, wastewater from your toilet, washing machine, sink, floor drain, etc., goes to a water treatment facility. There, it undergoes screening, primary treatment, secondary treatment, and final treatment. Sometimes, the water may be used to generate power or returned directly to rivers, lakes, etc.

Stormwater Management in the DMV

A broad range of local regulations govern the handling and treatment of stormwater runoff. Adhering to these isn’t just good for the environment and the appearance of your property; it’s essential for protecting your business from fines and potentially costly repairs to your facilities.

In the DMV area, businesses must adhere to numerous stormwater management regulations. This list includes the installation, design, and management of stormwater systems. At iSTORMWATER, our specialists can help you navigate these regulations so that your stormwater system is code compliant and effective at resolving the stormwater needs on your property.

Schedule a Consultation With iSTORMWATER

Designing and installing a code-compliant stormwater system is essential for DC area businesses. Because of varying rules in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, our team will help you determine the best solution based on your needs and any governing regulations. We’ll help you protect your business and the regional ecosystems that enhance the beauty and vitality of our communities.

When you need reliable stormwater solutions in the DMV area, contact iSTORMWATER at (410) 231-3455 to schedule a consultation with our stormwater specialists.