What is an MS4 and Why Should We Care

April 11, 2025

If you’ve ever walked down the street after a good rain and noticed all that water disappearing into a grate on the side of the road, congrats—you’ve seen an MS4 in action. MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, and while it might not sound exciting, it plays a big role in keeping our towns and waterways clean. So What Is an MS4? An MS4 is basically a network of storm drains, pipes, ditches, and outfalls that collect rainwater runoff and move it away from streets…continue

Understanding Drywells in Municipal Stormwater Management

February 23, 2025

Municipal stormwater management is a crucial aspect of urban planning, ensuring that rainwater and runoff are effectively controlled to prevent flooding, erosion, and water pollution. One of the methods employed in stormwater management is the use of drywells. These underground structures help manage stormwater by facilitating groundwater recharge and reducing surface runoff. What is a Drywell? A drywell is a subsurface drainage system designed to collect and disperse stormwater into the surroun…continue

How Stormwater Drainage Affects the Stability of a Paved Road

February 22, 2025

Proper stormwater drainage is a crucial factor in maintaining the longevity and stability of paved roads. When water is not effectively managed, it can lead to a range of structural problems, increasing maintenance costs and reducing the lifespan of the pavement. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of stormwater drainage on road stability and the best practices for mitigating these issues. The Impact of Poor Stormwater Drainage on Road Stability Water Infiltration and Pavement Deteri…continue

Kinds of Highway Drainage

December 24, 2018

Effective roadway drainage is one of the most important and often underestimated elements of road design, construction, and long term maintenance. Water is the single greatest enemy of pavement structures. When drainage systems fail or are poorly designed, water accelerates pavement deterioration, weakens subgrade soils, increases freeze thaw damage, and creates ongoing maintenance issues. Understanding the difference between roadway drainage and roadside drainage helps clarify how water should …continue

Understanding Water Movement

December 24, 2018

Hydrologic Cycle Rain and snow falling on the ground will run overland or soak into the ground. Eventually all the runoff will reach lakes, streams, or the ocean where the water will evaporate and start the cycle all over again Water Movement Around Roads When maintaining and building roads and streets, we must be concerned with water flowing around them. Figure 2 shows a conceptual drainage system and how watermay enter a road. Water may enter roadways through “cracks and surface defects&…continue