The City also has sewer and water pipe systems. City residents pay monthly to be able to use water and sewer services the City provides. However, residents do not pay for the storm water system service the City provides.
Why not?
Last I heard the City of Mobile had over 10,000 storm drainage structures. To keep the MS4 (Storm Drainage System) in good working condition requires that the drainage structures be checked frequently, and cleaned or repaired if necessary. 18-Wheelers are notorious for crushing them. Metal thieves are notorious for stealing manhole covers. Construction Sites are notorious for filling up the storm water ditches and pipes with dirt.
If the City has one crew checking, cleaning, and repairing the storm drainage structures just once a month, that means the crew has to check, clean and repair if necessary, 58 structures per hour. Hahaha. Impossible to do.
And to think, the City does not charge residents to keep the City storm water drainage system in good working condition. No wonder why the City of Mobile's Separate Storm Sewer System is crippled by broken inlets, pipe flow reduced in half by sediment, and inlets clogged with dirt and trash.
Because the City of Mobile's storm water system is in such deplorable condition, it contributes greatly to the pollution of Mobile's precious waterways. ADEM is fining Mobile because of MS4 issues.
If lack of money to pay for enough City storm water maintenance crews is the reason for all the broken, clogged, and trashed storm drains to be ignored, it might be time for the City Council to enact a storm water sewer tax so the City can hire more crews. Mobile's storm water inlets need to be kept in good working condition and they are certainly not being maintained properly. Some dumb Bell should be fired.
Mayor Sam Jones has everything under control. If you want 4 more years of flooding streets, vote him back in.