How does the sewer system work?

Royal Oak has a "combined" sewer system, which means that all the stormwater from rain and snow is mixed with all the sanitary sewage from private sewer leads into one pipe. Parts of the city do have separate stormwater pipes and sanitary sewer pipes, but these all ultimately drain to the same county drain and are combined. This means that the city has to pay to treat all the sewage AND stormwater that enters the system.

Show All Answers

1. Who else has a stormwater utility?
2. Why is stormwater run-off a problem?
3. What are some examples of pervious & impervious surface areas
4. How is hard surface area calculated?
5. What are the benefits of a stormwater utility?
6. How did you measure the hard surface area on my property?
7. How does the sewer system work?
8. Are roads and public rights-of-way charged the stormwater utility fee?
9. Why should I have to pay for rain falling on my property?
10. As part of the settlement agreement in Schroeder vs. The City of Royal Oak, MUST the city implement a stormwater utility?