Frequently Asked Questions
Department: Stormwater
- Stormwater
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- What do I do if I see someone dumping something other than rain down a storm drain?
Contact our Code Enforcement Division at 914-734-1010.
- Where does the storm drain go?
Water that flows down roads, streets, and parking lots goes into a storm drain. Some drain into a leaching pool structure or recharge basin (sump), which then leaches into the ground other dump directly to ponds, streams, lakes and the Hudson River.
- What is the purpose of the storm drain system?
Its purpose is to prevent flooding of roads and parking lots by quickly and efficiently transferring rain water into the ground and to ponds, lakes, streams and the Hudson River.
- Why are there markers on the storm drains with a message?
Storm drain stenciling and marking are a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rain water only. It is a visual reminder not to dump garbage or pollutants into the storm drains since these may end up in various water bodies including the Hudson River.
- What do I do if I see mud and water flowing from a construction site onto the street?
Contact Code Enforcement at 914-734-1010.
- What is the difference between putting water down the storm drain or putting it down the toilet or sink?
The sanitary sewer (toilets and sinks) and storm drain system are two completely different systems. In some areas of Cortlandt, the water that goes down sinks or toilets in homes and businesses flows to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated before its release. Other areas of Town have on site septic systems which should be pumped out regularly. Water that flows down roads, streets, and parking lots in the downtown area flow directly to the Harbor. This water picks up garbage pollutants along the way and does not receive any treatment to remove pollutants.
- Who fixes clogged storm drains?
The Town of Cortlandt Department of Environmental Services Highway Division.
They can be reached at 914-737-0047 - Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain?
Often this will clog a storm drain. When natural materials, such as yard trimmings, break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. A lot of natural debris decomposing in water will deplete the water of oxygen needed by fish.
- What do I do if I see someone dumping something other than rain down a storm drain?