OBJECTIVE:
Protect the source of Wilmington's drinking water
In response to community concerns, and as required by the EPA, the City of Wilmington is making the elimination of the Rockford Road Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) a priority.
The City of Wilmington, DNREC and the EPA are coming together to take steps to improve the health of the Brandywine, the source of drinking water for over 100,000 people in the greater Wilmington area.
The National Policy on CSOs requires elimination of any Combined Sewer Overflows that are upstream of drinking water sources, such as the Rockford Road CSO on the Brandywine. In partnership with the Rockford area community, we will do everything possible to safeguard this precious drinking water resource.
To eliminate
the release of sewage into the Brandywine from the Rockford Road sewer outfall,
the City will be creating two separate sewer systems – one for stormwater
runoff, and the other for household sanitary sewage. This will make it possible
to release only stormwater, not sewage, into the Brandywine during heavy rainstorms.
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| The Rockford Road Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) outfall is located at the base of Rockford Road, on the banks of the Brandywine. It is Wilmington's only CSO located upstream of the intake to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. |
In separating the systems, the City will use as much of the existing piping as possible. Roof and yard sewer connections that channel stormwater runoff into the same pipe with household sewage will be removed. This will, in effect, create the two separate sewer systems. Downspouts will need to be disconnected and redirected in homes shown in lime green on the map below.
The City will be implementing these improvements in early spring 2006.
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| On the streets highlighted in lime green, disconnecting downspouts will be necessary to keep sewage from backing up into homes. Be sure to attend the upcoming workshop to learn what will be required. |
Disconnecting
downspouts
has several benefits
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| At the workshop, you'll learn why disconnecting downspouts, sealing the standpipe that goes into your home sewer and redirecting the water will go a long way in preventing pollution. |
Homeowners in other cities have found disconnecting downspouts from their home's sanitary sewage systems has unexpected benefits. In addition to reducing the possibility of basement flooding and sewage back-ups, since water from rooftop runoff is no longer directed into your home's sewer system, homeowners may find their water/sewer bills are lower. Redirecting runoff is also good for the health of local rivers and streams since less pollution flows into them.
Many options are available for redirecting your downspout - from the very simple, such as directing it into a grassy area, to the more elaborate, such as directing it toward the vegetable garden you've always wanted to create in your back yard.
In Washington, D.C., for example, homeowners have redirected their rooftop runoff into rain barrels for later use in watering the lawn or washing the car. Rain barrels may be purchased, or easily and inexpensively constructed. Washingtonians have also used runoff to water "rain gardens," which are depressed or bowl-shaped areas that function as "mini-wetlands." Typically planted with wildflowers and other native vegetation, a rain garden provides a place for stormwater to infiltrate, allowing approximately 30% more water to soak into the ground. Chicago residents have directed stormwater to water trees and shrubs.
While impractical in some places (where there are only hard surfaces, or where drainage could impact a neighbor's property), the potential to reduce basement flooding and increase natural infiltration is great. Downspout disconnection is relatively simple, inexpensive, does not require a permit, and can be accomplished with a minimum of inconvenience. Be sure to attend the workshop on (Date TBA) to learn more about the benefits of disconnecting downspouts.