Storm drains play an important role in maintaining the condition of urban roads and residential streets alike. Without them, driving during a rainstorm would be dangerous and, in some cases, impossible due to a buildup of excess water. Storm drainage systems range in size from small dry wells located in residential areas to vast municipal systems that cover miles. Storm drains are also important in places like parks, footpaths and parking lots. Some homes even have gutters that are connected to storm drains in areas with heavy rainfall and frequent stormy weather.
As a septic and dewatering service in Bethel, OH, Gullett Sanitation Services Inc. has occasion to work with storm drains on a regular basis. Let’s take a closer look at how these critical pieces of infrastructure actually work!
The function of a storm drain
There are two types of storm drains that you have most likely encountered: side inlets and grated inlets. Side inlets are storm drains that are placed alongside the curb and divert water from the street, road or other paved surface into the drain through an opening. Grated inlets are placed in the ground and are covered with a grated or barred surface to allow water to flow in while still keeping larger debris out of the storm drain system. Because these grated inlets are typically located in close proximity to moving vehicles, the grates must be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of heavy cars, trucks and machinery and the grates must be spaced in such a way that they do not pose danger to motorists, cyclists or pedestrians.
In some inlets, there is a catch basin that is designed to collect some of the heavier sediments that are diverted into the storm drain. This catch basin sits directly below the inlet so that heavy sediments settle in and water can flow out of it. Since catch basins often have some stagnant water that collects, they can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes in hot and dry areas or during times of the year where there isn’t much rainfall. Breeding of mosquitoes can be prevented by using insecticides, inserting a special filter into the catch basin or by adding a thin layer of oil to the catch basin to cut off access to the stagnant water.
Once water from the street enters the storm drain, it is diverted through a system of pipes until it eventually reaches an outlet. This outlet is usually covered by a grate or a series of bars and flows into canals, rivers, reservoirs, lakes or the ocean. These piping systems generally don’t have any filtration system to catch debris or pollutants, so catch basins may be the only line of defense for storm water entering the system.
Septic and dewatering service
You can get expert advice on everything from storm drainage systems to septic and dewatering service in Bethel, OH from our professional team at Gullett Sanitation Services Inc. Our superior sanitation services include sludge disposal, jet aeration, sewer system services, dewatering and more. No matter what the size or scale of your project may be, we have the knowledge and expertise necessary to get the job done. Give us a call and get the best sewage and sanitation services around.