Storm division

The City of Auburn storm division is currently maintaining 135 miles of pipe, 4,362 catch basins,2,146 manholes, 75 collection facilities, 5 pump stations and 24 miles of ditch. The storm system is designed to convey rainwater from various collection points for eventual discharge to nearby creeks and rivers.

The primary maintenance activities consist of mowing, weeding, trimming, pruning, dredging and fence repair.

The majority of our stormwater is a result street, driveways, curbs, parking lots and structures that do not allow rainwater to soak into the soil. Stormwater can also result from soil that is so saturated with water that no further seepage can occur.

Rainwater picks up contamination from the air, off structures and from road surfaces. This mixture contains chemicals, oils, sand, dirt and other debris. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that stormwater is the biggest source for pollution of lakes, rivers, and streams in our country

Some of the most effective forms for treating stormwater are bioswales, detention ponds, infiltration ponds and ditches.

Bioswales are constructed channels containing grasses and other types of vegetation. The vegetation retards the flow of water, allowing pollutants to settle out.

Detention ponds are stormwater storage areas that provide a measure of treatment due to vegetative matter, particulate settlement and soil infiltration.

Infiltration ponds are also designed to provide stormwater storage, but treatment is through the soil filtration process.

Ditches usually provide more storage capacity than a pipe and are more economical to build, easier to maintain and provide stormwater treatment similar to infiltration ponds.

Our staff can be contacted at 253-931-3048 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For holiday or after-hours calls of an emergency nature, please call 911. We welcome any comments, questions or concerns you may have about stormwater runoff, treatment or maintenance activities.