Who Owns the Storm Sewer Systems in Bloomfield Township?
Bloomfield Township owns a very limited amount of storm sewer, which is primarily located on Township facilities, such as the Township Campus facilities and off-site fire stations. The Oakland County Water Resources Commission (OCWRC) owns and operates some large diameter County Drains throughout the Township. However, the vast majority of storm sewer systems within the Township are either privately owned, or owned and operated by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) or the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The catch basins within the curb line and the storm sewer directly under the road on residential streets, along with the ditches within the road right-of-way are owned and maintained by RCOC or MDOT. The other storm sewer pipes, manholes, and detention basins on private roads and property are either owned by the individual property owner or development that they directly benefit. This means that commercial properties are responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair/replacement of the storm sewer that drains their parking lots, building runoff, and other areas on the property. In residential developments, like a single-family home subdivision, condominium development, or an apartment complex, the storm water drainage system outside of the RCOC right-of-way is typically the responsibility of the property owner, Home Owners Association, or management company that oversees the development.
The Township recognizes that flooding, standing, or pooling water can be concerning for any homeowner or property owner. In order for a storm water drainage system to function as designed, it should be cleaned and inspected regularly. For information on who owns and is responsible for maintaining the storm sewer system near you, or advice on who to contact to clean and inspect your storm sewer system, please feel free to contact the Engineering and Environmental Services Department at (248) 594-2800 or at EES_dept@bloomfieldtwp.org. If there is a storm drainage concern that is associated with a system that is owned by the Road Commission for Oakland County, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, or Michigan Department of Transportation, please reach out to their respective agencies to file a concern:
RCOC
Department of Customer Service: (877) 858-4804
Email: dcsmail@rcoc.org
Online Contact Form
MDOT
Phone: (517) 241-2400
Online Contact Form
WRC
Phone: (248) 858-0958
Email: wrc@oakgov.com
Suggested Next Steps for Private Systems
For Private Storm Drainage Systems, consider contacting an engineering consultant or landscape contractor to inspect your existing system and suggest ways of improvement. Some common methods to improve storm water drainage on private property are:
- Installing a rain garden. Learn how to beautify your yard while helping the environment with this guide to rain garden construction.
- Installing a French Drain.
- Regrade your property or reestablish existing swales/ditches.
- Installing a bio-swale.
- Develop a Stormwater Operations and Management Plan for your existing system.
Please ensure you have the proper permitting for all work conducted on your property.
Additional Resources
For more information on location and jurisdiction of storm sewer systems within the Township, please refer to these maps:
OCWRC Owned Combined Sewer and Drainage Map
Private, RCOC, and MDOT Road Jurisdiction Map
For more information about Floodway and Floodplain in your area, please use the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Hazard Map or access the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
A list of frequently asked questions concerning Floodways and Floodplain is available on the Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) webpage.
More information on increasing frequency and intensity of storm events is available in the "Engineering Guidance for Changing Rainfall" study published by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
View the full detailed report compiled by EESD.
Read our pamphlet on Storm Sewer Facts in Bloomfield Township.