Need some ideas on cleaning mud out of a storm drain

   / Need some ideas on cleaning mud out of a storm drain #31  
Forget all the build this, that or the other thing and get a largest size water jetter to flush it out. You could use one of the other methods IF you knew what the path was underground. Currently you don't know how it is laid out and a jetter will cut through any compacted material. Basically you have a constipated storm drain, and it will keep happening unless you find and reduce the amount of silt/mud etc. that flows to it.
Maybe you should contact the local authorities who are in charge of maintaining this type of storm drain and see what they tell you. You could do it anonymously to see what they say is the method.

I went through a similar process today with the State's ANR. The town I live in called them and told them I was in their right of way, and in wetland by one of my ponds. The ANR guy called and told me there was a complaint filed. I asked who filed it and he said he was not given that info. I told him I knew it was the town because they had told me they had called, because I had " now gone and done it"; meaning I was illegally working in their ROW, which extends 25' from the dirt road's center line toward and onto my property. The town's guys told me I had created a hazard and they would have to come correct it, at taxpayer expense. I had told the town's road guys that what I had done was dig out all the silt/mud, etc. where it blocked access to the lower lip of the old metal culvert, and that their grading and plowing the road had deposited most all of the junk there in the first place. I told them it was obvious the culvert needed to extend toward my property another 8' or so to allow the road to be of consistent width and for it to be safe for travel. They told me they didn't care - keep out of the ROW; and they showed me the State Statute covering ROW egress, etc.

I told them I knew about ROW, etc., and was feed up with them using it whenever convenient. They told me about not having money to fix the roads, not enough crew, etc. They said the roads were built for horse and buggy. I told them to hire more crew, fix the culvert(s) and roadside ditches and that I was helping them do their job and should be given a parade with dancing girls, etc. They see it differently. Who Knew?!

The ANR guy walked my properties and agree what I was doing needed to be done, but I would have to have a permit to work in the outflow from my pond to the roadside culvert. He said they see this all the time, and as long as my pond was smaller than 2 acres I could rework the outflow, BUT I needed to lower the water level first so I would not be sending mud downstream, while working in the area. And the timeframe for this type of work is from June to October. A permit would keep me from having possible neighbor complaints against me, etc. No cost to me for the permit, and no fine either, because they are there to help mitigate issues with water/rivers, streams, etc, not to punish landowners.

He agreed the town needs to do some ditching and put in end of driveway culverts at both my drives to get the water where it needs to go. He is not able to 'force' the town to do anything, but he was going to go talk to them about the entire situation. He also said there are resources available to me to help guide me regarding pond maintenance. And grants the town can apply for to improve backroads.

My point to the OP is the state or local agencies that might have jurisdiction and responsibility over your storm drain are not necessarily out to get you the homeowner. And as far as HOAs, that is a slightly different ballgame. They get to form their own little fiefdoms, and can make the homeowner crazy with their way of dealing with things like a storm drain, etc.

Bottom line: I strongly urge you to find out WHO IS responsible for the drain flowing, and get them to clean it. It shouldn't be your job!:thumbsup:

Please post back results. Good luck- tread softly, carry a big stick, (concealed, of course).:eek:
 
   / Need some ideas on cleaning mud out of a storm drain #32  
Great! I’m also facing this same problem in my home. I hope this thread makes me to know how to do pipe cleaning.
 
   / Need some ideas on cleaning mud out of a storm drain #33  
People, we are talking about a 12" pipe filled with CLAY. A power washer does not have the volume to handle this kind of load. A garden hose doesn't have the pressure OR the volume to handle it.

The fire department idea was the first sensible suggestion, and since his neighbor is a member, it will be very easy for him to find out of that's a possibility.

If it's a "No" there, time to start looking at renting a large high pressure pump.

And first of all, find out the routing!
 

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