HELP Storm Sewer Drain installed in Driveway while away (Silver Spring: how much, house)

[Zishan]

I live in Silver Spring/Montgomery County.

Yesterday I came home and found what looks like a storm sewer complete with manhole cover, was installed in my driveway while I was away at work. I just moved into this neighborhood a month ago and was not told anything about this.

I have a feeling this is an easement between where my property ends and the street, and which ever agency installed this may not have to tell me if they want to put in a storm sewer/drain.

I am concerned for a few reasons.

1. If tomorrow they're doing maintenance and are blocking a portion of my driveway how would I get out?Why couldn't they move it off to the side where it didn't interfere with me getting in and out of my driveway?

2. The street has a gradient that is above my front yard, and consequently storm water already flows from the street into my front yard. Luckily for me between my house and the front yard, it begins to slop back back up.

If tomorrow there is flood and water starts reversing flow and coming out of the storm drain, and underneath the manhole cover, its going to flow towards my house. Depending on how fast and how much it comes, it may make it to my house.

What can be done about this? I fail to see any positives in this at all and am concerned about the damage it could cause.

There are some photos I took last night of the drain. I will take better ones later.

[Iggier]

Contact WSSC, if you're located in an unincorporated part of the county. If you're in Takoma Park, contact its Department of Public Works.

[bufflove]

Yep, contact WSSC with questions/concerns. It doesn't appear it's related to a storm drain nor does it appear anything new has been installed. I imagine they needed access to a buried water valve or something, but they'll be able to give you an answer no problem or at least reference you to PEPCO/Washington Gas if it's a different utility that needed access to something.

[North Beach Person]

If it's in the right of way or utility easement there's not much you can do. These things aren't done on a whim, the plans were probably in place months or even years ago.

Typically the edge of the road is not the edge of the right of way, a 50 ft. right of way will have a 40 ft. road with 5 ft. on either side still public. That gets you two travel lanes, parking on both sides and room to install a sidewalk in the remainder.

[Zishan]

Originally Posted by Iggier

Contact WSSC, if you're located in an unincorporated part of the county. If you're in Takoma Park, contact its Department of Public Works.

Originally Posted by bufflove

Yep, contact WSSC with questions/concerns. It doesn't appear it's related to a storm drain nor does it appear anything new has been installed. I imagine they needed access to a buried water valve or something, but they'll be able to give you an answer no problem or at least reference you to PEPCO/Washington Gas if it's a different utility that needed access to something.

Thanks doing that now. I also agree that it unlikely its for a storm drain. I appreciate all the help.