Discharging Water Onto Roads Is Against Law, Hazard: County

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Discharging water from your downspouts or groundwater from sump pumps onto any county road is a violation of the Anne Arundel County Code, officials warned residents in a reminder on Tuesday.

“It is important that residents comply with the code to minimize potential hazardous conditions for pedestrians and motorists,” said Department of Public Works Director Christopher Phipps in a news release. “Our roadways, sewer systems, and storm drain systems are not designed to carry additional flows.”

County code §13-2-206. Discharging water into roads says: A person may not empty, discharge, or cause or allow to be emptied or discharged from premises occupied by the person directly or indirectly, to or on any county road a liquid other than rainwater flowing in its natural course.

Suggested Discharge Locations and Techniques

• Relocate downspout or sump pump discharges: Relocate discharges so that it discharges a minimum of ten feet from the property line adjacent to a street or sidewalk.
• French drains or discharge wells: Water may be dissipated by using underground perforated drains or rock filled wells that distribute and allow water to percolate into the surrounding soil.
• Rain Gardens: Downspout or sump pump discharges may be directed to small depressed garden areas to facilitate infiltration.
• Rain Barrels: Connect a rain barrel to a downspout or sump pump for future watering of lawns and gardens.

For more information, contact Bureau of Highways Right-of-Way Management at 410-222-7344.

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