Storm drains are a major pipeline network through which water collected from the streets is directed to designated location beyond the town or city. Their purpose is to ensure that the town does not suffer from excess flooding. The expectation is that as the rain water falls, it is just as quickly flowing of the tarmac ground into gutters, and on to the storm drains (or as we say in Norway Sluk). In urban towns and cities this is very important. These pipeline networks run underneath the ground and collect water from different parts of the town.

They are not a necessity for urban areas as a lot of the ground is covered by tarmac and concrete. There is little exposed ground that can absorb the rain waters. They are found to a much lesser degree in rural areas where the earth is exposed and allows the water to simply sink in. During high rainfall, blocked sewers or overwhelmed storm drains mean that rainwater collected above ground pools causing flooding in streets with some water levels reaching high enough to enter people’s homes and places of business. There are ways of reducing the amount of water that leads into storm drains and ensure they continue to function well:

1. Gutters Directed To Exposed Grounds

Most buildings and homes have gutters that are automatically designed to lead water onto the road or into the sewers. However, some of these properties have exposed ground used as gardens, picnic areas and so on. Rather than having all the gutters send water into the drains, some could be directed to have the water flow into the exposed earth and infiltrate the soil. Anywhere water can be directed to be absorbed by the ground will reduce the overall amount of water that will flow into the sewers.

2. Construction Using Permeable Materials

Roads, sidewalks and parking lots can be constructed using permeable paving materials like paving stones and laying permeable concrete. These materials will allow water to pass through and penetrate into the soil below. This also reduces the overall volume of water that will lead into the storm drains.

3. Mandatory Detention Tanks

If property owners are required to install detention tanks, then this can ensure another barricade before overflowing into the local sewers. This will hold off some of the water and also acts as a water conservation method. When there is no rainfall, the water can be used to water the plants.

4. Keeping Storm Drains Clear

This is often publicized as a major way of ensuring the system functions well. People living and operating businesses near these inlets should make the effort to ensure they are clear and able to take in water. Litter, leaves and frozen ice during winter, causes the inlets to be blocked up.  Simply collecting the garbage and leaves, and breaking up the ice will ensure water can flow freely and led away. This is the one way in which every citizen can contribute to the proper functioning of the system and avoid idle pooling of water that can lead to mosquitoes breeding.

If you would like to find out how you can avoid water damage risk (in Norwegian the word is vannskaderisiko), please visit this very resourceful website.