USC Public Works

Storm Sewers

Storm water is produced naturally from rain or melting snow and is absorbed through the ground to a natural discharge point such as a pond or creek.

What happens when it rains?

Storm water from rain flows downward through gutters, downspouts, and drains. The storm water can either be absorbed into the soil, flow on the ground surface into streams, or flow into storm sewers by direct pipe connections or through inlets in streets and yards. Storm sewers are underground pipes which carry ground water and rain water to a natural discharge point. New homes are required to directly connect storm sewer pipes to the storm sewer system.

Storm sewer pipes are designed to handle the sudden flow of a large amount of water (after a rainstorm, for example) and are larger in diameter than sanitary sewer pipes. In Upper St. Clair, storm water is directed to one of four watersheds: McLaughlin Run, Chartiers Creek, Painters Run, or Brush Run. A watershed is a ridge of land separating waters flowing into various basins. The USC Sanitary Sewer Power Point Presentation shows maps of each watershed.

Ponds, creeks, rivers, streams, and oceans clean and filter water naturally in a process similar to the treatment of wastewater from human and household matter at the wastewater treatment plants.

Illegal storm water tap-ins

Storm sewer lines should not be connected to sanitary sewer lines.

Homeowners sometimes try to eliminate the problem of wet basements or soggy yards by connecting the storm sewer pipes into the sanitary sewer system. However, the sanitary sewer system is not designed to handle the flow of the additional storm water.

Thus, in areas with illegal connections, serious problems can arise after a heavy rain. The increased flow of storm water overloads the sanitary sewer system. Sanitary sewer manholes are forced off, sewers are flooded and overflow ends up either polluting streams or flooding basements.

In compliance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Township's Departments of Community Development and Public Works continue to test for illegal storm water tap-ins to the sanitary sewer system.

Illegal connections are identified by dye testing which involves running water with dye through the drain spouts and driveway drains of a house. Then, the sanitary sewer manhole below the house is checked. If the dye is present in the water flowing through the sanitary sewer system, then the storm water pipes are illegally connected to the sanitary sewer system.

Property owners with illegal connections will be notified and given 15 days to correct the problem. Failure to comply will result in legal actions. Dye testing is required before a property is sold, and is the responsibility of the seller.

In Upper St. Clair, there are approximately 50 miles of storm sewers, 2,100 storm sewer inlets, and 560 storm sewer manholes. Many of the inlets are in excess of 20 years of age and are now requiring total reconstruction.

The Township Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the storm sewer system for the Township's four major watersheds. This includes general maintenance, the cleaning of catch basins and sewers, and the construction and repair of storm sewer appurtenances.

Construction of the storm sewer system was financed through the Upper St. Clair Municipal Authority.

Department of

Public Works

Department of

Public Works

Sewer Maintenance

Storm Sewers

What happens when it rains?

Illegal storm water tap-ins