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Newberg stormwater drains to the Willamette River!
What is Stormwater?- As rain falls on surfaces such as driveways or parking lots, it picks up oil, antifreeze, and grease deposited by cars.
- Rain that flows from your yard to the streets can carry fertilizer, pesticides, pet waste, leaves, and soil.
It all enters the stormwater system including our creeks and rivers.
- Fertilizers promote algae growth which can be toxic to animals and people.
- Pesticides and pet waste can cause deformities and disease in fish.
- Soil causes cloudy water that hides or kills food sources for fish.
- Leaves and litter clog storm drains causing street flooding.
- Oil grease and antifreeze pollute our water
Stormwater FAQ
The City can investigate the storm drain systems and can dye test if necessary. You may also be able to determine if your house is connected. If you have curbs with holes in them at the street level, dump water into your gutters on a dry day, then watch in the street for the water to flow out onto the curb/street.
We may be able to investigate. However, it will be the property owner's responsibility to repair the drainage system.
Storm Drains eventually lead to our rivers. Remember, stormwater flows into our creeks and rivers and eventually into the ocean. The storm drain system is designed for rainwater that falls from the clouds and never for contaminated or chemical materials. Even water-based and 'natural' paints can be harmful.
No, however, the Storm Drainage Maintenance program provides customer assistance and will suggest solutions that could help.
Note: The City is not responsible for private property issues, but code compliance may assist you if an adjacent property is dumping water onto your property.
Note: The City is not responsible for private property issues, but code compliance may assist you if an adjacent property is dumping water onto your property.
After flowing through creeks, etc. rainwater ends up in the Willamette River, which flows into the Columbia River, and then out to the Pacific Ocean.
For that reason, some of the storm drains and sidewalk curbs are labeled 'DUMP NO WASTE, DRAINS TO STREAM'.
For that reason, some of the storm drains and sidewalk curbs are labeled 'DUMP NO WASTE, DRAINS TO STREAM'.
If you see a clogged storm drain, please use a rake to clear the problem or contact us to report flooding. For safety reasons, avoid stepping into the puddle itself.
Sandbags are used during storms to create a barrier against floodwater, typically placed around doorways, along property lines, or in low-lying areas to redirect the flow of water and prevent it from entering buildings or damaging property during heavy rain or storm surges, essentially acting as a temporary wall to protect against flooding.
Visit our sandbag page for information about pickup locations.
Visit our sandbag page for information about pickup locations.
Catch Basins
No. Most catch basins are located on private property and the City does not clean or maintain private storm drainage systems.
The City cleans around two-thirds of the catch basins annually on a set schedule. If a catch basin is full or is not draining after a rain event it may have been covered with leaves or road debris that has washed in off the streets. We hope everyone can help keep these areas cleared when they see a build-up contact us to report any time there is a potential rain overflow onto the street.
Remember...Leaves and grass clippings do not belong in street gutters, storm drains, ditches, ponds, or creeks.
Remove leaves from catch inlets to avoid local flooding. Do not blow, rake, or dispose of yard waste/debris into detention ponds or swales (low-lying or depressed wet stretches of land), or anything conveying rainwater.
Remember...Leaves and grass clippings do not belong in street gutters, storm drains, ditches, ponds, or creeks.
Remove leaves from catch inlets to avoid local flooding. Do not blow, rake, or dispose of yard waste/debris into detention ponds or swales (low-lying or depressed wet stretches of land), or anything conveying rainwater.
Contact Us right away!
Maintenance crews will mitigate downstream impacts, and code enforcement will track down the responsible parties in the case of code infraction.
Maintenance crews will mitigate downstream impacts, and code enforcement will track down the responsible parties in the case of code infraction.
Stormwater System
The manhole is used for access to the system for maintenance and possibly for direction of flow change, grade change, or other pipe connections to the system.
The Storm Funds Section's responsibilities include: flood control and response; 24-hour emergency response and repair; reconstruction, maintenance, mowing, and weeding of stormwater detention and water quality facilities; removing situation from above-ground drainage systems; constructing and replacing storm system pipes and facilities; sweeping all improved public streets monthly; and cleaning two-thirds of the public catch basins annually.
Billing for City services such as water, sewer, streets, stormwater, etc. falls under the Utility Billing Department
