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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Did you find the answer to your question? If not, please contact us at (309) 732-2200 or E-mail: pubworksmail@rigov.org
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What rules and regulations control stormwater issues?
Illinois Drainage Law, NPDES (EPA) regulations, and the City of Rock Island Stormwater Control Ordinance are the main stormwater rules and regulations.
- Where can I find more information on the stormwater rules and regulations?
Illinois Drainage Law: http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/abstracts/aDRAINAGE98.html
IEPA NPDES Regulations:
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/permits/storm-water/index.html
US EPA NPDES regulations:
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/
City of Rock Island Stormwater Control Ordinance: http://www2.rigov.org/pdf/stormwater/stormwatercontrolordinance.pdf
- How do I know if I need a storm water (grading and drainage) permit?
There is a checklist on the permit application. If your project adds 500 SF or more of impervious area, disturbs an area 10,000 SF or more, disturbs a volume more than 100 CY, or is located on or next to a slope 7% or greater, a storm water permit is needed. If your project is close to these triggers, you should submit a permit application. That way the City knows if a permit is needed or not. Also building permits are not issued until you have complied with the storm water requirements. City staff can help determine if a permit is needed. For more information, see the storm water publications page (http://www.rigov.org/citydepartments/publicworks/stormwater/publications.html ) for the Storm Water Control Ordinance and the grading and drainage permit application or call the Public Works Department at 309-732-2200.
- My neighbor’s storm water flows onto my property is that ok?
Yes if the natural (by gravity) drainage is from their property to your property. Storm water runoff is allowed to flow from higher elevations to lower elevations.
- Can I build a berm, wall, or diversion to keep my neighbor’s storm water on their property or force it onto a different property?
No. If the natural (by gravity) drainage is from their property to your property, then you cannot block the natural (by gravity) flow of the storm water. Storm water runoff is allowed to flow from higher elevations to lower elevations.
- Can I change how stormwater flows across my property?
Yes as long at the stormwater enters and leaves your property at the same locations as it does naturally. Also you cannot unreasonably increase the flow of the stormwater.
- Can I put in a private structure and storm sewer pipe to collect the storm water (there is no City storm sewer in the area)?
Yes as long as the storm water enters and leaves your property at the same locations as it does naturally (by gravity), you are not unreasonably increasing the flow of the storm water, and you are not blocking the flow of water entering your property. If you install a storm water system through your property, it would be private and would be owned and maintained by the property owner. A grading and drainage permit may be necessary, please contact the Public Works Department at 309-732-2200.
- Can I extend the City’s storm sewer or culvert across my property?
No. The City wouldn’t gain any value by extending the pipe, but the City would incur additional maintenance costs for the additional pipe. There are also issues regarding inspection during construction, building to City standards, and providing the appropriate drainage easements. As a general rule, the City will not allow private citizens to extend the City storm sewers or culverts and turn it over to the City for maintenance. There may be a possibility of installing a private culvert through private property. The culvert would need to start outside of the City’s easement and leave enough space for the City to maintain the City’s pipe. Also a channel over the pipe must be provided to give the storm water a place to flow when the private pipe is full. Each case will be reviewed individually, and a grading and drainage permit will be required.
- Who is responsible for maintaining the intake in the street or the pipes under the roads?
The City of Rock Island is responsible for maintaining city owned infrastructures including pipes and structures. If you see that a pipe or intake is plugged or needs maintenance please call 732-2200 or fill out the online complaint form at http://www.rigov.org/citydepartments/publicworks/stormwater/complaint.html
- Who is responsible to maintain the ravine/stream through my property?
Most ravines and streams are on private property. The property owner is responsible to maintain the ravine/stream to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants. This maintenance shall include, but is not limited to, sediment removal, bank erosion repairs, maintenance of vegetative cover, and removal of debris from privately owned pipes and structures.
- Who is responsible to maintain the swale or open drainage channel through my property?
The property owner is responsible for maintenance of private drainage channels, including keeping the drainage channel free of trash, debris, excessive vegetation, and other obstacles that would pollute, contaminate, or retard the flow of water through the drainage channel. In addition, the owner shall maintain existing privately owned structures adjacent to the drainage channel.
- Will the City help me to maintain the ravine/stream or swale or open drainage channel on my property?
The Rock Island Drainage Assistance Program (RIDAP) is available to help property owners that have damage to their property caused by storm water from other properties. RIDAP is a reimbursement program that requires the property owner to pay for at least 25% of the repairs. The City will contribute up to 75% of the project cost with a maximum City contribution of $3,000 per property. Neighborhood projects are encouraged and will be funded prior to individual projects. For more information on the program requirements, application dates, etc., please see the RIDAP flyer available on the storm water publications page.
- Can I put grass clippings or leaves in the street?
No. It is a violation of several City ordinances including the storm water control ordinance to release contaminates into the storm water system. When placed in the street these materials are washed into storm water system during a rain storm. These mateirals are carried in the storm water and can be deposited on private property, or in the creeks, streams or the rivers. These materials also can cause blockages of storm water structures or pipes which can cause flooding.
- Can I put grass clippings (yard waste), tree limbs, compost, concrete, chemicals, etc. into the ravine on my property?
No. It is a violation of the storm water ordinance to release contaminates into the storm water. Common contaminates include trash, yard waste, stones, earth, concrete, wood, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater (grass clippings), oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste and sediment.
- Why can’t I dump my natural material (yard waste, sticks, brush, compost, etc.) into the ravine on my property?
These materials get picked up during storm events and are carried into the drainage channel where they cause blockages of the drainage channel, pipes, and culverts. These blockages can cause flooding at downstream properties.
- If I can’t dump my natural materials into the ravine, what can I do with them?
The City has a drop off center that will take yard waste at 1309 Mill Street on Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM (small fee for yardwaste), the City has a subscription yard waste collection program (for a nominal fee), and the City has a free leaf pick up program in the fall. Please contact the City at 732-2200 for more information on these programs or if you have any questions on how to dispose of your natural materials.
- How do I dispose of household hazardous materials?
Scott County, Iowa has a Household Hazardous Material facility that will accept Rock Island County residents' materials at no cost. Please call (563) 381-1300 for more information and to schedule a drop-off time.
- My neighbor has a sump pump that drains onto the street or alley. Is that ok?
Uncontaminated ground water infiltration, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation drains, springs, water from crawl space pumps, and footing drains are discharges that are exempt from the Storm Water Control Ordinance. If there is a problem with the street or alley, contact the Public Works Street Department at 309-732-2200.
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