Storm Water Management Program

Storm Drain System vs Sanitary Sewer System

Storm drain and sanitary sewer systems have two distinct functions and it is very important for people to understand the difference.

Catch basins are the entryway into the Storm Drain System and are typically located at the bottom of a hill or at street corners.

This system collects and transports water and other liquids away from these areas and out to a local waterways (Salado Creek and San Joaquin River) UNTREATED. Please Note: The Storm Drain System does not remove pollutants from water before it is discharged into our streams and rivers.
The Sanitary Sewer System collects wastewater from indoor plumbing such as sinks, toilets, washing machines, and floor drains where it is transported through underground pipes to a sewage treatment plant. The sewer treatment plant removes many pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged back into the river. Improper disposal of wastes is very harmful to the environment, hazardous to public health, and violates state and federal law.