With all of the rain dumped on the area this summer, many homeowners may have experienced their share of flooding and standing water.

While storm-water management practices were approved by local governments and instituted into developments, systems need to be maintained and kept clear and also may fail.

The responsibility of these systems was decided when the development went through its planning process in its municipality, and can be on the homeowner, the township or the homeowners' association, if the development is private.

Each development goes through a planning process in their municipality where issues, particularly storm-water management, are examined and required before the projects are allowed to proceed into construction.

Robert Blue, of Robert E. Blue Consulting Engineers, explained that the Pennsylvania Storm Water Management Act requires that a development return the site's rate of release to that of prior construction. He said that means if five gallons per minute came off the site before construction, five gallons per minute will come off the site after construction.

East Norriton Township is one of the numerous municipalities represented by Robert E. Blue Consulting Engineers in the company's nearly 20-year history.

Every development has a different situation, Blue said.

For privately owned and maintained properties, Blue said the township may have the right to go in to do repairs and lien the homeowners' association to recoup the costs.

Blue said some detention basins, for example, are part of homeowners' lots and then their responsibility, while others are located on separate lots and may be deeded to the township.

If a collection system were deeded to the township, the township would be responsible for upkeep and maintenance.
Homeowners with inlets and swales on their land should keep the areas clear of gardens, fences, sheds or other obstructions and clear grass cuttings and other matter from them.

"If someone has a swale in the backyard, they don't expect the township to cut it, why would they expect them to pull the grass clippings?" Blue explained.

Blue said townships intervene with remedial action when adjacent properties are impacted and flooded from clogged piping systems.

"If you have flooding, the first line of action should be to call or notify the township and tell them the situation," Blue said.

He said township staff or the township engineer is then sent out to report back to officials about the problem. John Chambers, of Chambers and Associates that represents the municipalities of Plymouth, Lower Providence, Montgomery Township, Upper Moreland, and Salford, said the problems on private land are private problems and on public land are public problems.

"Sometimes, if a swale or a pipe is in an easement, then the municipality has the right to go in to maintain the swale or the pipe, but not the obligation," Chambers said.
He said easements give municipalities the right to enter properties for maintenance.

"We, as a municipality, get involved if a development, subdivision or land development causes adverse impact on the neighbors. That's when you need to call the municipality," he said.

When a homeowner has a problem with water on their property, Chambers said their first step should be contacting a civil engineer to evaluate what the problem is. He also stressed that abundant water isn't a problem; it's normal during heavy rain. Damage to a home and water that stands for several days should be addressed.

Chambers said the homeowner should address private problems by contacting an expert. And if the problem is with a neighbor, then that is a civil issue with the neighbor.

"If it's your neighbor, deal with your neighbor. If it's on your property, get the expertise you need to correct it on your own property," Chambers said.

"Water flows from property to property; that's just the way it is. Unfortunately, people at the bottom end up with the excess water."

Whitpain Township engineer Roman M. Pronczak said several factors lead to water problems.

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