Storm Water Policy

The City maintains ONLY the portion of storm drainage systems that are within city street rights-of-way.  The purpose is to ensure the streets are free of water hazards that could render them unsafe to navigate by the public as well as emergency personnel.  Storm drainage systems within State road rights-of-way are maintained by the State Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

City policy prohibits City personnel  or equipment from doing maintenance of storm drainage systems across private property (outside street rights-of-way or easements.  The reason:  The City does not own the pipes, catch basins, etc. nor does the City own the rights-of-way or easements of these systems.  It does not matter whether there is a drainage easement across the property or not.  This is not a City-owned easement.

• The City does not regulate storm water nor does it regulate the design or installation of storm water systems.
• The City does not inspect or control the construction of storm water systems.
• The City does not control the amount of storm water allowed to flow through the storm drainage systems.

For the same reasons, the City does not maintain creeks or streams.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the property owner to correct any storm drainage issue on their property.  Likewise, if the storm drainage issue lies in a common easement managed by a Homeowner's Association, the Homeowner's Association would be responsible for correcting the issue.

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