The City's surface water utility diverts rain water (storm water) runoff to minimize flooding and erosion. Storm water infrastructure includes inlets to collect storm water on streets, pipes, and urban streams to move the water through the community to be discharged into the Umpqua River.
The challenge for the storm water utility is to balance the need for flood control with the desire to maintain urban streams for fish and wildlife habitat. The revenue to support these services comes almost exclusively from user fees charged on the monthly City utility bill.
The Public Works Department performs a variety of maintenance activities to ensure the storm water utility operates at peak performance to minimize the impacts of storms on the community. Here are just a few:
Pipe inspection. A video camera is inserted into a storm line to assess the condition of the pipe. This is a key component of a proactive maintenance program because problems are identified early and maintenance can be scheduled before operation is disrupted.
Catch Basin Cleaning. Catch basins are storm inlets in the street used to direct the rain fall to the storm water collection system. Debris gets trapped in the catch basin sump and must be periodically removed to minimize urban stream pollution. Clogged basins have a reduced capacity which will eventually cause back-ups and street flooding.
Flood/High Water Response. Emergency response to flooding and/or high water conditions includes cleaning catch basins, cleaning storm line outfall structures, and removing obstructions in urban streams.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
The City of Reedsport has developed a plan to help reduce pollutants that are deposited into nearby waterways from the city’s storm water program. The TMDL Plan includes street sweeping, cleaning catch basins, providing pet waste bags in city parks, assisting with an annual cleanup day, and many other activities.
What can you do to help? One of the most practical things that a property owner can do who lives along a stream bank is to plant vegetation to prevent erosion. A helpful resource is the PNW Native Plants for the Streamside Garden.
If you see possible pollution issues, please report them to City Hall by calling 541-271-3603 or by calling the non-emergency dispatch at 541-271-2100.