Stormwater

The Department of Public Works & Service is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the City of St. Joseph public sanitary and storm sewer systems. These two separate but similar and vital systems are essential in keeping the City safe, clean and healthy.

The Storm Sewer system is designed and intended to capture and move rain water, snow melt and other surface water away from the existing surface such as a street or parking lot and safely discharge it into a body of water such as a stream or river. The City of St. Joseph currently has hundreds of miles of storm sewer pipes and storm water/debris separator chambers that require frequent maintenance and repair. A major portion of this maintenance includes the catch basins and their covers or grates. These often become clogged with leaves and debris which then blocks the flow of the water creating a ponding effect on the roadway or parking lot during heavy rain events. As part of the Public Works & Service annual storm sewer maintenance program, the City uses its vacuum/debris loader truck to clean out the catch basins and the debris separator chambers to prevent blockages of the system.

It's important to remember that our storm drains lead directly to the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. Any motor oil, pet waste, leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers or contaminated water from washing your vehicle that enters the storm drains gets sent directly into our water that is used for recreation and our drinking water. Please, only rain down the drain! For more information please click on the Storm Water Education link below.