The practice of stormwater management is constantly evolving and helping to make residents better aware of how stormwater is managed is important.
Stormwater and Wastewater Overflows: Why do they still happen?
Overflows can happen when heavy rainfall overloads the sewer system. Heavy rainfall and capacity limitations in the conveyance (pipe) systems can trigger overflows at emergency
fallout locations.
Overflows can also occur due to mechanical failure or operational issues. The system is designed this way to prevent major damage to infrastructure and surrounding environment.
What is the stormwater system that WHRM owns and maintains?
Storm drains, off-street drainage corridors, buried pipes and manholes, in street (cross) culverts, detention ponds and roadside ditches.
What is a combined sewer?
A combined sewer is a system of pipes and pump stations etc. that transports both sewage and storm water to a wastewater treatment plant where the water is treated and discharged.
What is a CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) and what are the regulations around it?
Most of the time, combined sewers carry all contents (rain, melted snow and sewage) to a wastewater treatment plant for full treatment. During periods of intense, heavy rainfall, or a power outage the
volume of stormwater that enters these combines sewers may exceed the system’s capacity and some of the combined sewer flow (a mix of stormwater and sewage) is diverted (or overflow) untreated.
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) were designed to act as a relief valve: preventing sewer overloads, which could lead to flooding of properties, public spaces or even sewage treatment plants.
Important Notice: pdf Recreational Use of Lake Pesaquid IMPORTANT NOTICE.pdf (6.91 MB)