Over the past few years, the Township has seen an increase
in requests for assistance from residents regarding storm water
runoff. These requests generally follow an unusual rain storm
that results in private property damage. Residents often call the
Township expecting help with a number of issues including, but
not limited to:
• Wash-outs of driveways and landscaped yards from excess
water runoff
• Basement or garage flooding coming from an outside source
due to topography of the landscape.
• Flooding of in-ground pools from excessive water runoff.
• Other general water related damages that is caused from
private properties not owned by the Township of Shaler.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Residents are advised that the Township of Shaler is not
responsible for outside water runoff that may affect your property.
Much of the damage that we have viewed is caused by improper
grading from property owners or poor placement of permanent
structures that compound the water runoff problem.
Many of the water runoff problems are generated from
neighboring property owners. Property owners are advised to
PREVENTING DAMAGE:
Residents have to take the necessary steps to prevent private
property damage. This may involve installing french drains,
draining swales or other engineered systems to direct water away
from their homes and property. The Township cannot accept
responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of excessive storm
water runoff unless the problem has originated from Township
owned facilities. A homeowner cannot assume that the Township
has responsibility for all outside water sources and must accept
responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of flooding.
Shaler | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 45
TOW N SHI P OF SHAL E R N E WS
consult with the Township’s Building and Zoning Department
before changing the natural course of water flow from their
property onto another property owner’s land. In addition, the
topography of your homes’ location could also be part of the
problem. If your home is located lower than those around you,
your home will likely experience some type of flooding from
excessive rainwater at some point in time. Water follows its’
natural course and will always follow the path of least resistance.
If you do not take steps to divert outside water sources away
from your home, you will experience some damage in excessive
rainfalls.
Shaler
STORM WATER RUNOFF ON PRIVATE PROPERTY