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Officials discuss long-running neighborhood flooding, ask MSD for options as CSO Mary timeline remains uncertain
Summary
Public Works members and staff discussed a persistent drainage problem tied to an MSD separation project called "CSO Mary" scheduled in future years; staff said MSD is not permitting city fixes now and timelines for the MSD phases are unclear.
Brentwood Public Works Committee members spent part of their March 13 meeting discussing a long-standing drainage issue in a neighborhood where a private inlet and MSD infrastructure have failed to carry stormwater, periodically flooding a resident’s yard and basement.
Staff described past meetings with MSD engineers, reported that MSD expects to begin phases of the separation project dubbed “CSO Mary” in 2026 with a multi-year construction window, and said MSD does not currently permit the city to perform a permanent fix in the easement. Committee members and staff discussed interim options such as small rain gardens, curb modifications or drainage throat devices but said those measures are unlikely to match the capacity of full MSD infrastructure improvements.
Public Works staff said the problem stems from capacity constraints in MSD’s downstream inlet and that while some upstream connections were separated from the combined sewer, the remaining path still overwhelms the local drain behind homes. Staff said they raised the resident’s case directly with MSD engineers, including at an MSD stakeholder meeting attended by city staff.
Committee members pressed staff on whether the city could pursue a private-property modification to relieve flooding; staff said property grading or curb cuts would require hydraulic calculations and MSD approval, and that the city cannot move forward with large capital repairs while MSD plans its phased project.
No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue discussions with MSD and look for grant or interim solutions such as small-scale rainscaping grants offered by MSD programs if applicable.
The committee noted this remains a priority neighborhood infrastructure issue and encouraged staff to keep the committee and affected residents informed.
