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Town-wide Drainage,
Town-wide stormwater drainage relates to the conveyance of surface water, including but not limited to creeks, streams, wetlands, roadway culverts or storm sewers. These facilitates are maintained by the Town of Penfield or the operating authority of the roadway. Except for roadway drainage structures, these facilities may or may not be located on town-owned land or are under an easement to the town. Where there is no easement, the town will require an easement to be granted upon any development project that requires town approval.

General activities associated with managing of regionalized drainage facilities includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Cleaning drainage ditches, removing debris from streams or creeks

• Stream bank stabilization or reinforcement

• Keeping town drainage studies current

• Conduct sub-basin studies, where required

• Apply for NYSDEC/US Army Corps permits, where required

• Planning and implementation of improvements to mitigate flooding and reduce floodplain acreage

• General maintenance of regional detention /retention facilities to ensure that storage and flow is not impeded

• Raise and lower water levels in ponds, as required for function

The maintenance of these channels may be done by the town forces, or their contractors, as needed for emergency services or as part of an annual maintenance program. The town will make every effort to obtain a release prior to entering on private property to complete these services.

To report a drainage problem please submit a " Service Request "

Localized stormwater drainage relates to the conveyance and storage of stormwater from a subdivision or a large group of properties, including minor swales, creeks, streams, control structures, detention facilities, retention facilities, and storm sewers. These facilities are typically owned by the town or are under easement to the town.

General activities associated with managing localized drainage facilities includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Cleaning or removal of excessive growth from the drainage ditches

• Grass cutting and removal of debris from neighborhood detention/retention facilities

• Planning and implementing improvements associated with new development

• Storm sewer cleaning or improvement projects

To report a drainage problem please submit a " Service Request "

Site-specific stormwater drainage relates to the conveyance and storage of stormwater from a small group of properties, including minor swales and storm sewers. These facilities are typically NOT owned by the town are NOT under easement to the town.

The town does not manage or maintain these site-specific drainage facilities unless it is part of an overall regional or localized problem. Property owners are expected to maintain these facilities. Typical causes for these types of problems include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Poor lot grading

• Low home elevation

• Overgrown landscaping

• Installation of fences, landscaping, gardens, pools or sheds into drainage swales

• Changes to runoff characteristics

• Settlement of the land around a structure

• Clogged catch basins or field inlets

• Improper sump or lateral installations or connections

To report a drainage problem please submit a " Service Request "

There are three types of stormwater drainage: Town-wide, Localized, and Site-Specific.
To report a drainage problem please submit a " Service Request "

When a drainage concern is reported, town staff will assess the nature of the issue and direct the complaint to the appropriate department for investigation. This can include a site visit to review existing conditions, a review of documents, drawings and photographs, and if needed, a topographic survey.

The affected property owners will be kept informed of the status of the investigation and notified of the outcome and recommendation. The following conditions shall be considered in the determination of the best alternative for the situation:

• Is the concern town-wide, localized or site-specific?
• Does the concern affect a structural or life safety issue?
• Has this been a recurring problem?
• Does an easement exist?
• What conditions led to the problem?
• How many parcels are affected by the concern?
• Is a NYSDEC or US Army Corps of Engineers permit required?

The Town Board shall be responsible for any final determinations related to appeals form residents. The Town Board may involve an advisory committee for input on certain drainage issues.

If the Town of Penfield determines it is appropriate to complete site-specific drainage improvements, the following conditions must be agreed to by the affected property owner(s):

• Property owners grant permission for property access to contractors/town staff
• A drainage easement is granted to the Town of Penfield for piping and structures
• The property owner shall be responsible to replace or relocate any landscaping or structures disturbed by the work.  These shall not be installed within the easement.
• The property owner will agree to permit future connections by adjoining property owners
• The property owner will hold the Town of Penfield, its agents and employees harmless for any damage as a result of the work

It’s the land water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river or lake. A watershed’s landscape is made up of homes, businesses, farms, forests and roads. Watersheds are everywhere, and our collective behaviors directly affect water quality and drainage downstream from our properties. In Penfield, we have eleven different watershed districts.

More Information:

• Learn about the H2O Hero http://www.h2ohero.org/