Drainage, Erosion and Pollution
Water Pollution is defined as “the addition of harmful substances to natural water sources."
Fish, birds and wildlife depend on clean water sources to survive just as people do. When it becomes unfit for drinking or recreation, both man-made and natural communities suffer and decline. Dirty or polluted water is one of the world’s largest health risks.
Erosion is when water or wind moves soil and rocks to different places. It's a natural part of shaping our county's landscape. But it becomes a problem when human activities, like construction, cause too much erosion and put too much sediment in our streams.
Excess sediment (beyond natural erosion) can be a pollutant.
Excessive sediment in streams leads to various issues, including:
- Unattractive waterways
- Loss of valuable topsoil
- Instability of stream banks
- Disruption of fish breeding areas between rocks
- Murky water, hindering fish from finding their food
- Harm to fish and other stream life
- Decreased capacity for water flow in the stream and raising flood risks
- Lower water quality
Sediment smothers living organisms and abrades or coats their skin.
Reporting Erosion and Sediment Issues?
If you see erosion or have concerns in any of the following areas please report them but using our online form or by calling 311 (or 240-777-0311 if you're outside the County; 7-1-1 for Maryland T-T-Y Relay) and specify your interest in filing an erosion control complaint. Please provide as much of the information mentioned on this page for a quicker resolution.
Public Areas and Storm Drains
If the erosion problem occurs in the public right-of-way or as part of the public storm drain system.
Private Property Erosion
For erosion issues on private property, DEP can provide technical assistance to property owners on addressing the problem themselves.
Stream Bank Erosion
If you notice a stream bank with erosion causing sediment to enter the stream. The DEP will investigate your complaint and direct it to the appropriate partner agency.
Common issues reported include:
- Erosion along stream banks, caused by activities like mowing, herbicide use, and tree removal near the stream's edge.
- Erosion affecting stream channels, revealing sanitary sewer infrastructure.
- Stream channel erosion resulting from a water main or sewer main break (these cases are referred to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission ).
- Stream erosion causing damage to public roads (these cases are referred to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation ).
Construction Site Runoff Issues
If you spot a construction site that requires a permit and is over 5,000 square feet in size (about the area of a basketball court) with discolored or muddy water runoff, please report it. Here are some examples of sediment-related issues and violations you should report:
- Abandoned construction sites with worn-out or damaged sediment control measures like plastic silt fences.
- Streams near construction sites with excessive silt buildup.
- Silt fences breached due to excess water or sediment accumulation.
Note that construction sites under 5,000 square feet do not require a sediment and erosion plan and are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Permitting Services.
Erosion Gullies and Dry Channels
DEP doesn't handle erosion gullies and dry channels, typically the property owner's responsibility. If they are part of the public storm drain system, refer to public areas and storm drains.
When reporting erosion concerns, please provide:
- Your contact information for follow-up.
- Location of the issue, including the street address if available.
- Details on the frequency and extent of the problem.
- Photos or videos if possible.
Lot-to-Lot Drainage
Nuisance drainage or water discharge without ongoing construction is often a civil matter, and Montgomery County may not enforce action. Rarely, enforcement may occur if water discharge could result in "SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE" to another property.
For construction-related water runoff complaints, contact the Department of Permitting Services.
If your complaint meets specified criteria unrelated to construction or re-grading, DHCA Housing Code Enforcement handles enforcement. Complaints regarding rental properties in the City of Takoma Park are also managed by DHCA. Commercial or owner-occupied properties in the City of Takoma Park are under the City's jurisdiction. Send written water runoff complaints to DHCA Housing Code Enforcement at 1401 Rockville Pike, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20852. Include the property address causing the issue, duration of the problem, and relevant details on estimated restoration costs.