VILLAS – Continued flooding on Roseann Avenue, in North Cape May, despite a $5 million stormwater trunk line project, could be the result of screens put in place to catch leaves and other debris in the storm sewer lines.
Public Works Superintendent Gary Douglass addressed Lower Township Council, Aug. 21, saying he intended to have the screens removed after consulting with the pump distributor.
In April, Douglass discussed the continued street flooding in the 200 block of Roseann Avenue with the council. Residents have described having “knee-deep” water after certain storm events that has even resulted in manhole covers being lifted up, creating a dangerous situation for anyone wading through the water.
Douglass said the pumps in the pump station were working well, and the problem seemed to be leaves, primarily, were clogging the trash rack. Trash racks, according to trashracks.com, are installed to prevent floating and submerged debris from entering stormwater and wastewater systems while maintaining water flow.
Douglass described some of the debris found on Roseann Avenue as “composted leaves.” At the time, he also advised homeowners not to put leaves out to the curb too early before scheduled leaf pickups because the leaves could end up in the storm sewer system.
At the Aug. 21 meeting, Douglass noted the pump distributor said the pumps were designed to be able to handle vegetation. He said he planned to have the screens removed from the trunk line chamber in the 200 block of Roseann Avenue and perhaps put them back at a later date.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
