Sanitary Sewer &
Storm Drain Systems
Two Underground System
Storm Drain System
Sewer Drain System
What Is Storm Drain Pollution?
Most of our rainwater travels through gutters, storm drains, channels, washes and eventually into the major source of our drinking water - Lake Mead. The largest source of stormwater pollution in Las Vegas Valley results from every day activities. The most common pollutants are:
Trash
Fast Food Wrappers
Cigarette Butts
Motor Oil
Antifreeze
Pesticides
Styrofoam Cups
Fertilizers
Sediment
Sewage Overflow
These pollutants are picked up as water from rain, hoses, sprinklers, etc. drains from streets, parking lots, and lawns to the storm drain system consisting of catch basins, pipes, and open channels throughout Las Vegas Valley. Polluted urban runoff entering the storm drain system is conveyed straight to the Las Vegas Wash untreated. Basically, anything dumped or dropped on the ground or in the gutter contributes to stormwater pollution.
Two Underground System
In the Las Vegas Valley, there are two systems of drainage. The Sanitary Sewer or Wastewater System, and the Storm Drain System. The Sanitary Sewer System takes household wastewater (such as wastewater from sinks, toilets, washers, etc.) and carries it through a home's plumbing connecting to an underground sewer pipe. The storm drain system redirects rainwater from roadways, drop inlets, washes, channels, and detention basins to the Las Vegas Wash.
Storm Drain System
The Storm Drain System carries the discharge from city streets and routes it into curbside catch basins. From there, it enters a completely separate underground system from the sanitary sewer.
Sewer Drain System
A sanitary sewer is an underground system for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings (but not stormwater) to treatment facilities for treatment.
Sanitary Sewer &
Storm Drain Systems
Two Underground System
In the Las Vegas Valley, there are two systems of drainage. The Sanitary Sewer or Wastewater System, and the Storm Drain System. The Sanitary Sewer System takes household wastewater (such as wastewater from sinks, toilets, washers, etc.) and carries it through a home's plumbing connecting to an underground sewer pipe. The Storm Sewer System redirects rainwater from roadways, drop inlets, washes, channels, and detention basins to the Las Vegas Wash.
Storm Drain System
On the other hand, and as seen in the graphic below, the Storm Drain System carries the discharge from city streets and routes it into curbside catch basins. From there, it enters a completely separate underground system.
Sewer Drain System
A sanitary sewer is an underground system for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings (but not stormwater) to treatment facilities for treatment.
What Is Storm Drain Pollution?
Most of our rainwater travels through gutters, storm drains, channels, washes and eventually into the major source of our drinking water - Lake Mead. The largest source of stormwater pollution in Southern Nevada results from every day activities. The most common pollutants are:
Trash
Fast Foot Wrappers
Cigarette Butts
Motor Oil
Antifreeze
Pesticides
Styrofoam Cups
Fertilizers
Sewage Overflow
These pollutants are picked up as water from rain, hoses, sprinklers, etc. drains from streets, parking lots, and lawns to the storm drain system consisting of catch basins, pipes, and open channels throughout Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Polluted urban runoff entering the storm drain system is conveyed straight to the Las Vegas Wash untreated.Basically, anything dumped or dropped on the ground or in the gutter contributes to stormwater pollution.