FAQs
What is a catch basin?
Curbside opening that collects rainwater from streets and serves as an entry point to the storm drain system, a vast network of underground pipes and open channels designed for flood control, which discharges to surface waters often by first going through a natural or constructed stormwater management facility such as, but not limited to, ditches, swales, roads with drainage systems, detention ponds, retention ponds, infiltration devices, oil/water separators, sediment basins, modular pavement or other such devices.
Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
No. They are two separate drainage systems. Effluent in the sewer system receives extensive and thorough treatment prior to being discharged into surface waters. The storm drain system on the other hand, receives no treatment before entering our surface waters.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater that enters the storm drain system and empties into surfaces waters such as streams, rivers and lakes.
What is stormwater pollution?
Stormwater pollution is water from rain, irrigation, garden hoses or other activities that picks up pollutants (cigarette butts, trash, automotive fluids, used oil, paint, fertilizers and pesticides, lawn and garden clippings and pet waste) from streets, parking lots, driveways and yards and carries them through the storm drain system and to surface waters.
The color of the stream in my backyard has changed color / smells bad / is muddy. Who can help me with this?
These problems could be caused by dumping / a sanitary sewer line break / broken silt fence / or illegal construction activities. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
Who can I contact about my neighbor / a restaurant / a business who is discharging paint / used motor oil / cooking grease / waste water from carpet cleaning or a car wash into the catch basin?
It is illegal to discharge oil / grease / paint / and commercial car washing and carpet cleaning waste water into catch basins. Please note that natural spring water and water from fire fighter activities can run into catch basins. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
What is the City of Brookhaven doing about illegal dumping?
It is illegal to knowingly dump or discharge hazardous materials into storm drain catch basins, and the City can impose stiff fines on the perpetrators if they are caught. Illegal dumping of trash, paint products, motor oil, and other chemicals into storm drains is against the law. The Public Works department sends community businesses and residents letters explaining the environmental impact that can result from illegal dumping into the storm drain system. We also are engaged in Community Outreach to encourage YOU to be a solution to stormwater pollution by reporting any illegal dumping (Report Illegal Dumping) to our Public Works Department or Code Enforcement officers.
There is a smell coming from the catch basin near my house. Who do I contact about this?
There is a possible illicit connection from a residence or a business into the storm sewer system. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
How do I dispose of household paint?
Residents can dispose of unused paint with their normal household garbage. The containers must be one gallon or less in size with the lids removed and the paint completely dry. Homeowners should allow the paint to air dry or can add a liquid absorbing substance such as kitty litter. All the paint must be completely dry. For the remaining portion, a paint stick can prove useful to determine if the can is dry all the way to the bottom. City of Brookhaven resident may use the Seminole Landfill. The same aforementioned procedure is acceptable. Commercial businesses should recycle all unused paint. DO NOT PLACE IT INTO DUMPSTERS! Residents or businesses who have lead based paint should contact the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at (800) 424-LEAD.
Who is responsible for clearing the debris/blockage in the creek/drainage easement on my property?
Public Works is authorized and funded to maintain drainage infrastructure (pipes, culverts, catch basins, etc.) and about ten feet of the drainage ditch, drainage easement, or creek at the ends of pipes and culverts. Maintenance of the remainder of the creek or drainage easement is the responsibility of the property owner. Since many residents have a creek or drainage easement on their property, maintenance of those areas by City personnel would require huge increases in funding and manpower. Therefore, the property owner is responsible for maintenance of those areas just as they are responsible for mowing their yard within the road right-of-way.
A neighbor / business is connecting a pipe to the catch basin or storm sewer line without a construction permit. Who should I contact?
This is an illicit connection. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
I hear water running inside the catch basin and it hasn't rained for a long time. Who should I contact?
There is a possible illicit connection. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
I have often seen a curb marker or stencil over storm drains. How do I get a curb marker or stencil for a catch basin in my neighborhood?
You can make a Service Request for information on how to pick up storm drain curb marker (or stencil) supplies needed to install curb markers on the storm drains in your neighborhood.
How can I be environmentally responsible when washing my car?
The best way to wash your car is to use a full-service car wash. They are designed to recycle used water and filter out many of the harmful chemicals and pollutants washed away from your vehicle. An alternative to using a full-service car wash is to park your car in the lawn or on some gravel and use biodegradable soaps to wash your vehicle. Although we recommend you go to a car wash that recycles the water, please remember to use as little water as possible if you wash your car on your lawn. Water conservation is essential in metropolitan Atlanta and it begins with you.
Yard clippings, leaves, and sediment are natural, so they don't cause any problems for our streams, right?
Grass, leaves and yard clippings that are repeatedly swept into catch basins can clog the drain, causing flooding in local neighborhoods. During the process of decomposition of these natural materials, the amount of available dissolved oxygen in our streams decreases and contributes to the death of other important aquatic animals such as macroinvertebrates which are part of the food supply for many fishes and other vertebrates of lakes and streams. Some common macroinvertebrates in Georgia Streams include clams, snails, worms, amphipods, crayfish, and the larvae of many aquatic insects (e.g., dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and black flies). For more information about Georgia Streams visit the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream website.