During a recent city council meeting, officials gathered to address pressing sewer and water issues affecting the Marnell, Ascot areas, and Washington Boulevard. City engineers, including Joe Chuni, the city engineer, and Jim Hewitt, director of the water team, presented a detailed overview of the city's sewer systems, emphasizing the distinction between public and private responsibilities.

Chuni explained that the line of demarcation for maintenance responsibilities lies just behind the sidewalk, with the city responsible for public sewers and homeowners accountable for private connections. He outlined the separate systems for stormwater and sanitary sewage, highlighting the challenges posed by increasingly intense rainfall events attributed to climate change.

The presentation included a technical breakdown of how stormwater is managed, detailing the flow from rooftops through gutters and downspouts into public storm sewers. Chuni noted that many of the city’s sewer systems were designed decades ago and are not equipped to handle the current frequency and intensity of storms, which can lead to flooding and backups.

The meeting underscored the importance of understanding these systems as the city navigates ongoing infrastructure challenges. The engineers expressed their commitment to addressing these issues and welcomed questions from council members and the public, aiming to foster a clearer understanding of the city's water management strategies.